Three Las Cruces students face criminal charges after police say they made threats on social media to carry out shootings at Las Cruces schools.
Two students, who Las Cruces Police Department did not name because the defendants are minors, were arrested on Sept. 13 and Sept. 16, according to a news release. On Monday afternoon, the city followed up to announce a third incident and arrest.
“Although students and staff were not under an immediate threat, the incident falls into a pattern of threats spread on social media that caused school security to be tightening last week,” the news release said.
The first student was identified as a 13-year-old boy who allegedly threatened to shoot at Camino Middle School. The second student was identified as a 15-year-old girl who police said threatened a shooting at Centennial High School.
Both of those students are charged with unlawful threats toward a school, the news release said.
“LCPD will continue to collaborate with public school officials to monitor schools and ensure the safety and security of students, faculty and staff,” the news release said, adding that the investigation into the two incidents is ongoing.
“Anyone who sees or receives a threatening post is asked to refrain from forwarding it to others, or reposting it, as doing so may cause unnecessary fear and widespread panic. Police encourage anyone who sees or receives information that is believed to be threatening to screen-save the content and immediately alert law enforcement by calling 911.”
In the third instance, an 11-year old girl was issued a juvenile citation for allegedly threatening a school shooting via social media at Sierra Middle School. The threat was forwarded to Las Cruces police by Meta, the corporation that owns Facebook and Instagram, with account information and an IP address. Staff at the school assisted police in identifying and interviewing the girl, who allegedly admitted to making the post. Police said a search of the student’s backpack did not turn up firearms or other weapons.
Due to her age, the child was not held in custody, police said, and was released to her parents with the juvenile equivalent of a criminal citation.
