West Virginia 7th grader arrested and charged after alleged threat of shooting up school

HANCOCK COUNTY, W.Va. (WTRF) — The Weirton Police Department has confirmed that a 13-year-old female, 7th-grade student has been arrested on one count of felony Terrorist Threats.

Officials say the charge stems from a social media post where a threat was made against individually named students.

The 13-year-old is being housed at a juvenile detention facility and is awaiting her arraignment at the Hancock County Magistrate Court on Friday.

Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney Steven E. Dragisich issued the following statement:

“On or about September 11, 2024, the following was posted on the social media platform SnapChat: “I am coming for you guys. This is more people on my list.” The post then named seven juveniles who attend Weir Middle School. Additionally, references to “shooting up” Weir Middle School were made in the conversation section on the same SnapChat account, and said references were distributed to multiple students.

After a diligent and thorough investigation conducted by the Weirton Police Department, the juvenile responsible for the above threats was detained by the Weirton Police Department today. The juvenile will be charged with the felony offense of “Threatening a Terroristic Act” under W. Va. Code §61-6-24(b) and will be prosecuted accordingly.

I would like to thank the Weirton Police Department, namely Detective Randy Kernen, Officer Josh Dennis, Officer Sam Krzys, Officer Stevie Jo Banannio, Detective Gerard Spencer, Detective Brian Beatty, Deputy Chief Scott Cook, and Chief Charlie Kush, and the Hancock County Board of Education for their tireless dedication and effort in determining and apprehending the above juvenile responsible. I would also like to thank the Hancock County Board of Education for their assistance in this matter.”

During this investigation, the Weirton Police Department worked closely with the Hancock County Prosecutors Office and the Hancock County Board of Education.

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