Two 14-year-olds were charged Sunday by Methuen Police for making bomb threats against Methuen High School—a day after a similar threat, deemed “not credible” was made Saturday against a city elementary school.
Police Chief Scott J. McNamara revealed the latest incident Monday, saying police identified three suspects and charged two juveniles in connection with multiple threats made against the Methuen schools over the weekend.
Students and parents reported the latest threat Sunday, Sept. 8, at 8:30 p.m., to Methuen Public Schools. Officials notified police of the “second, more specific bomb threat,” made on social media against Methuen High School. McNamara said the department was “quickly able to identify” two 14-year-old Methuen High students. One was arrested Sunday at the student’s home and charged with threatened use of explosives, causing disruption of a school. The student was held on $10,000 cash bail and was to be arraigned at Essex County Juvenile Court, Lawrence. The second student will be summonsed to Essex County Juvenile Court, Lawrence, at a later date and was also charged with threatened use of explosives, causing disruption of a school.
“I want to reiterate the severity of threats such as these. The disruption that these threats cause brings unwarranted fear and anxiety to those across the community. Our department is committed to the safety and well-being of all students and community members and we are working diligently to thoroughly investigate the threats made over the weekend at the highest level,” said McNamara. “Those found responsible will face significant legal consequences. While these threats were not deemed credible, it does not lessen the serious impact they have had across our community.”
As WHAV reported earlier, Methuen Police were notified by the FBI Saturday of a bomb threat made on social media, against the Donald P. Timony Grammar School. In that case, police learned the social media account used in the threat belonged to be a Timony School student. It was deemed “uncredible and that the student had neither the means nor opportunity to carry out such a threat.” Police tentatively referred the matter to the Methuen Public Schools for disciplinary action.
Both threats came less than a week after two students and two teachers died after a 14-year-old allegedly opened fire at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia.
While both threats were determined not to be credible, police said the department conducted a thorough sweep of Methuen High School with the assistance of the Methuen Fire Department, police units and K-9 teams attached to the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council.
Extra patrols were stationed at Methuen Public Schools on Monday as a precaution.