Stafford County Sheriff’s Office: 15-year-old detained after stealing firearm from cruiser, making threat to student

STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now ) — Deputies detained a 15-year-old boy on Wednesday after he stole a firearm from a sher iff’s office vehicle and made a threat to commit violence against a Brooke Point High School student, according to the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO).

On the evening of Sept. 10, deputies were notified of a threat to commit violence against a Brooke Point High School student. Investigators worked through the night to identify the suspect and gather evidence.

During the investigation, deputies came across an image of a firearm posted on the suspect’s social media. The depicted weapon matched a firearm that was stolen from an SCSO cruiser the previous week.

SCSO said the weapon had been locked in the cruiser when it was stolen but that the boy broke the car window and “defeated the gun rack.”

Deputies detained the teen just before the start of school on Wednesday and recovered the stolen firearm from his home. Deputies also had an increased presence at Brooke Point High School.

SCSO said the following in a Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon:

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Stafford County Public Schools for their assistance in this investigation. Thank you to the witnesses that followed the rule of “see something, say something.

The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety of students and staff at all our schools. We will continue to vigorously investigate all threats to our schools, students, and staff.

Office of Stafford County Sheriff- David “DP” Decatur, Sheriff

The principal at Brooke Point High School sent an email to families around 7 a.m., Wednesday, saying in part there is not a general threat to the school.

Jose Espinosa, who has two children at Brooke Point High School where his wife also works, said the incident raises concerns.

He hopes teachers are given additional training for what to do when threats arise, and it is hopeful for improved communication from the school district. While he expressed his gratitude for the sheriff’s office, he also said he wanted to know how the alleged theft happened.

“My reaction was, I was scared and nervous and anxious,” Espinosa said.

DC News Now requested an interview with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office hoping to ask about gun storage protocols and safety measures, but the office spokesperson said no one was available Wednesday evening for an interview.

It’s unclear what charges, if any, the 15-year-old boy faces.

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