Over the last week, Mesa police officers have responded to and investigated several threats of violence toward schools in the city of Mesa. Threats have been made verbally and through social media. Our community has come together to combat these threats and have included officers in the discovery of such threats, following the “Report, Don’t Repost” campaign, started by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Thank you!
Because of you, Mesa police officers identified six juveniles suspected of threatening violence in a school organization. The cases
were not related; however, every case involved threats of school violence. The
Mesa Police Department in collaboration with the head of security for Mesa,
Gilbert, and Queen Creek Public Schools investigate all threats thoroughly.
“Our top priority at Mesa Public Schools is to provide a
safe and caring learning environment for our students and staff,” stated the
Superintendent of Mesa Public Schools, Dr. Andi Fourlis. “The recent trend of
social media threats and rumors have been very disruptive to our schools,
causing heightened fear and anxiety among our students and their families. We
take every threat seriously and are grateful for our partnership with the Mesa
Police Department.”
Members of the Mesa Police Department’s Intelligence &
Counterterrorism Unit along with the Criminal Investigations Unit are also
heavily involved in the discovery of new threats and promptly investigate their
credibility.
“While the Mesa Police Department does not believe any of
the already circulating social media threats are credible, we do take every
threat seriously. It is not okay to threaten violence, it is against the law.
Those who chose to violate this law may face criminal prosecution.” Ed Wessing,
Assistant Chief of Police for the Mesa Police Department.
On September 12, 2024, three students came forward to report
hearing another student at Eastmark High School say that they were going to
shoot up the school. The 17-year-old suspect will be facing charges of
threatening and intimidating.
On September 13, 2024, three more students from Eastmark
High School reported hearing another student threaten to shoot up Eastmark High
School and their previous school. The 13-year-old student was referred to
Juvenile Court for two counts of threatening and intimidating (one for each school.)
Also on September 13, 2024, two students from Mountain View
High School reported that another student threatened to shoot up the school.
The 15-year-old suspect was referred to Juvenile Court for one count of
threatening and intimidating.
On September 16, 2024, Bush Elementary School received a
suspicious call from a young man reporting a shooter on school grounds. Responding
officers confirmed there was no shooter. The 11-year-old caller was identified
and contacted. He now faces charges of false reporting of terrorism and
interfering with an educational institution.
On September 17, 2024, two students from Stapley Junior High
reported a social media threat showing names of other students from their
school in a post titled “The List.” Officers learned that the list was made in
March 2024 by a 13-year-old student who was charged with disruption of an
educational facility at that time. Charges are pending for threatening and
intimidating currently.
On September 19, 2024, officers became aware of a new list of names circling within Stapley Junior High. Officers have identified a suspect and are actively working this case.
Every high school in the Mesa Public School district is
secured with weapon detection devices and two school resource officers. Every
Junior High is also staffed with a school resource officer. In addition, patrol
officers with the Mesa Police Department have adopted schools in their
respective districts and have randomly been stopping by to walk the campuses
and provide extra security for students and staff members.
Remember, if you see something, say something. Call the Mesa
Police Department’s non-emergency line at 480-644-2211 or 911 in case of
emergency. An anonymous tip line can also be used, provided by Mesa Public
Schools, at 480-472-7867.
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| Westwood High School Weapon Detection Device at entrance Mesa PD SRO Coran and MPS Security Officer Robin Beach |
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