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WEST JORDAN — A 15-year-old boy was arrested late Thursday for allegedly making a threat against a middle school student.
The teen, a student at Copper Hills High School, 5445 New Bingham Highway, had a fight with a student at Sunset Ridge Middle School, 8292 Skyline Arch Drive, earlier this week, said West Jordan Police Chief Ken Wallentine.
After the fight, the older boy made threats on social media that he would go back to the middle school the next day and shoot the student, Wallentine said.
Fortunately, other students saw the posts and reported it on the SafeUT app.
Wallentine said his officers worked through the night and made contact with the boy and his family, whom he described as cooperative. Detectives do not believe the boy had access to a gun, but still felt the threat was serious enough that the boy was arrested and booked into juvenile detention for investigation of making a school threat.
Wallentine praised the students who used the SafeUT app.
“We’ve been saying for years that if you see something, say something,” he said.
He encouraged all parents to talk to their students about feelings of anger and depression and to let them know that resources are available.
The SafeUT Crisis Text and Tip Line, and smartphone app, is a statewide service that provides real-time crisis intervention to youth through texting and a confidential tip program. In addition to reporting threats, the app can also be used by students who want to report suspicious activity or potential threats, or for those looking for help with bullying, mental health or suicide-related issues.
