A teen is in juvenile custody after allegedly phoning in a threatened shooting against an Elk Grove middle school as a ploy to stay home from class.
Elk Grove police on Thursday arrested the 14-year-old. He faces a felony charge of making a criminal threat and was being held at Sacramento County juvenile hall, Elk Grove police said in a statement. The teen’s name is not being released because of his age, but police say he is a student at a nearby high school. Investigators say the teen acted alone.
Police alleged the teen called 911 to say Harriet Eddy Middle School would be the target of the shooting. The 14-year-old used someone’s else phone to call in the bogus threat and used another person’s name when he talked with emergency dispatchers, police said.
Elk Grove police urged parents to talk with their children about bogus threats and their consequences.
“We understand the concern and anxiety these types of threats create within our community. Please know threats are taken seriously and investigated to the fullest extent,” Elk Grove plice said in a statement. “Parents, use this as a chance to talk to your kids about the seriousness of making threats.”