Joseph Solomon, Chief of Police
Quinn Public Safety Building
90 Hampshire St.
Methuen, MA 01844
For Immediate Release
Friday, Oct. 23, 2015
Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net
Two Additional Methuen Students Arrested for Alleged School Threats
METHUEN — Chief Joseph Solomon regrets to report that the Methuen Police Department this afternoon arrested two additional juveniles and charged them with making threats against their school.
Since Monday, four Methuen public schools students have been arrested. One on Monday for allegedly making a threat against the high school; one Thursday for pulling a fire alarm; and two middle school students on Friday evening for allegedly making threats of their own.
“Tonight we are troubled and disappointed to have to report a second set of threats made against students at a Methuen school this week,” Chief Solomon said. “We encourage parents to have conversations with their children about the seriousness of making statements like this. Additionally, we ask that parents have discussions with their children and if any of their children have thoughts or fascinations with school shootings we ask that they contact us to assist them with counseling or seek it on their own.”
On Friday October 23, 2015 at approximately 1:30 p.m. Methuen Police were contacted by a Tenney Middle School staff reporting that a Tenney Middle School student, a 14-year-old male, advised that student not to show up for school on Monday October 26, 2015 because he was going to “shoot up the school.” A second Tenney Middle School student, a 13-year-old male, had stated that he would supply weapons to the other student.
As a result of the information received, members of the Methuen Police responded to two different residential locations where the suspects live and searches were conducted at both locations. The search of both residences turned up no further evidence.
Police do not believe that the juveniles had serious intent or the means to do violence at their school.
After the investigation both juveniles were arrested and charged Making a Threat Against a School of Assembly.
Both juvenile males were transported to the Methuen Police Department for booking. The 14-year-old was held without bail and transferred to a juvenile holding facility. The 13-year old- was released to the custody of his parent.
The Methuen Police would like to acknowledge the courage of the Tenney Middle School students who came forward to the police providing information that may have prevented a tragedy.
“Methuen is a progressive community, and we take threats of school violence very seriously,” Chief Solomon said. “There is simply no such thing as joking about shooting up your school. In this day and age, we have to act out of an abundance of caution.”
These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
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