The Perry Police Department filed charges Thursday against a 15-year-old male on six counts of first-degree harassment and one count of terroristic threats after the boy sent threatening text messages to six Perry Middle School students Wednesday afternoon.
A joint statement issued Thursday by Perry Police Department Chief Eric Vaughn and Perry Community School District Superintendent Clark Wicks said the threatening text messages all came from the same number. The suspect threatened physical harm to each of the students and their families.
Further investigation, including interviews conducted by the School Resource Officer and school officials, led to the identification of the suspect. It was also determined the suspect threatened to commit the harmful acts on school grounds.
“Due to the delay in the reporting of the threats, the time period of the threatened action had already passed,” the joint statement said.
A witness provided further information before school Thursday regarding the identity of the suspect, and officers were able to detain and file charges against the suspect.
“Quick action and collaboration ensured that the security and safety of students and staff were not compromised,” the joint statement said. “Perry Community School District and Perry Police Department take all threats involving students and staff seriously and work in conjunction to resolve matters quickly.”
First-degree harassment is an aggravated misdemeanor, and terroristic threats is a Class D felony. The juvenile suspect is currently in custody of Juvenile Court authorities.
ThePerryNews.com will update this story as information becomes available.
