FROM THE WASHOE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Washoe County School District Police arrested a juvenile on Wednesday in connection with a threat of physical violence targeting Shaw Middle School in Sparks, which was posted on social media the previous night.
The juvenile’s name will not be publicly released because of their age. The child is currently being held at Jan Evans Juvenile Justice Center in Reno and the case will be forwarded to the Washoe County District Attorney’s Office for review.
School Police are seeking charges under the following Nevada Revised Statutes:
- NRS 202.448: Making threats or conveying false information concerning acts of terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, lethal agents or toxins prohibited
- NRS 392.910: Assaulting pupil or school employee; interference with persons peaceably assembled within school; penalties.
“School Police do not believe this threat was credible, but it is important to note that this social media posting did result in approximately 480 Shaw Middle School students—about half of the student body—staying home from classes today (Wednesday),” a statement from the school district said. “Every effort was made to contact the school community with accurate information about law enforcement efforts to protect the students, staff members, and school property this morning via a Connect Ed call.”
“We kept a high profile at the school today, and as we continue to investigate this case, we urge all parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s social media activity,” school police chief Jason Trevino said in a statement. “These are extremely serious charges that resulted from an extremely serious action on the part of a juvenile. We consistently educate young people about the consequences of their actions, and this is yet another example of an action that can carry severe consequences.”
