Massachusetts police charge high school students with making bomb threat against school: 'Significant legal consequences'

BOSTON — Two local high school students have been charged with making a bomb threat against a school, a few days after the mass school shooting in Georgia.

The two 14-year-old Methuen students have been charged in connection with the threat made against Methuen High School over the weekend.

Methuen Police on Saturday first learned of a bomb threat made on social media against the Timony Grammar School. Officers immediately notified Methuen Public Schools officials, and began an investigation.

Police soon determined that the social media account used in the threat belonged to a juvenile, a Timony Grammar School student. Police found that it was a nonspecific, uncredible threat — and that the student didn’t have the means or opportunity to carry out such a threat.

This matter remains under investigation, but police referred the matter to Methuen Public Schools for disciplinary action.

Then on Sunday at 8:30 p.m., Methuen Police were notified by Methuen Public Schools of a second, more specific bomb threat made on social media against Methuen High School. Students and parents reported the posted threat to Methuen Public Schools.

Police were quickly able to identify two suspects. One juvenile, a 14-year-old Methuen high schooler, was arrested at their home by Methuen Police. The student has been charged with threatened use of explosives, causing disruption of a school.

The student was being held on $10,000 cash bail, and was expected to be arraigned at Essex County Juvenile Court, Lawrence Session.

The second suspect, also a 14-year-old Methuen high schooler, will be summonsed to Essex County Juvenile Court, Lawrence Session at a later date. The student was also charged with threatened use of explosives, causing disruption of a school.

While both threats were determined not to be credible, Methuen Police 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.

“I want to reiterate the severity of threats such as these,” Police Chief Scott McNamara said in a statement. “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.

“Those found responsible will face significant legal consequences,” the police chief added. “While these threats were not deemed credible, it does not lessen the serious impact they have had across our community. Our priority is and will remain, the safety of our community.”

Both incidents remain under investigation, and additional charges may be added.

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