16-year-old charged in connection with threats sent to several Dakota County schools

A 16-year-old boy was charged with four counts of threats of violence in connection with online threats sent to several schools earlier this week, announced Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena.

As previously reported, police were contacted about a series of threats posted to social media against four high schools in Dakota County.

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“Any threat of gun violence, especially when directed at schools, is taken very seriously by my office,” Keena said. “I want to thank the student who reported the threats to a school resource officer. Your actions played an important role in protecting the safety of other students and staff while the police investigated the threat.”

The suspect’s posts included asking which school he should “shoot up” with a picture of a firearm and photos and videos of firearms.

Investigators traced the threats to a home in Eagan. They also found the phone number associated with the accounts.

According to prosecutors, police who were positioned outside the home saw a vehicle leave and conducted a traffic stop. The driver and passenger were identified as the teen’s parents, and they confirmed the phone number associated with the accounts belonged to their son.

The officers then went into the home and questioned the teen, who confirmed the phone number and social media accounts were his. He was arrested and brought to the juvenile service center in Hastings.

The teen will make his next court appearance on Dec. 23.
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