Redding boy, 12, accused of threatening violence via social media
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A 12-year-old Redding boy faces the possibility of juvenile criminal charges after allegedly threatening violence against a school over social media, according to police.
On the evening of August 18, police were notified of a potential threat of violence against a school made via Snapchat. Though the name of the school was never specified, tips led to the identification of a potential suspect and the school they attend, police said.
Police contacted the school — University Preparatory School — and notified them of the threat, prompting school officials to cancel classes for the following day.
Collaborative investigations between police, school resource officers, and school officials led to the securing of an emergency search warrant for the Snapchat account, which led to the identification of the suspect as a 12-year-old student at the school.
Investigators determined that the student had no access to weapons. The student’s parent was also contacted. The case has since been forwarded to juvenile probation for criminal consideration, as well as to school administration for further action.
