Gillette police arrested a 13-year-old boy Monday for making violent threats at Twin Spruce Junior High School, according to a statement by the city.
The boy is charged with making terroristic threats, which is a felony punishable by up to three years in prison.
“The investigation concluded that though the student did not have access to firearms, he did threaten to shoot other students on April 6,” reads the city’s statement.
Numerous schools received threats of violence and false reports of violence last week, amid what some believe to be an online challenge, or dare, to do so.
“Following recent threats in our community, the (Gillette) Police Department urges residents to immediately report any threat of violence to law enforcement or school officials,” the statement says. “All reports will be investigated.”
City leaders encouraged parents to talk to their children about “the serious consequences of making threats.”
Gillette public affairs director Jennifer Toscana confirmed that the boy is being charged as a juvenile.
