Threat of violence at West Valley middle school deemed to be a hoax

PHOENIX – A threat of violence at a West Valley middle school Tuesday was deemed to be a hoax, authorities said.

The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release that rumors of a threat to L. Thomas Heck Middle School in Litchfield Park had been spreading across social media since Monday, worrying students, parents and staff.

However, MCSO investigators found no credible threat of violence.

The release did not give details about the nature of the threat.

As a precaution, MCSO said it will continue providing a uniformed and non-uniformed presence at the school near El Mirage and Bethany Home roads as long as necessary.

The agency said it will continue to investigate the case and bring charges as warranted.

“Students and their parents must remember that their actions do have consequences and that in 2019 these kinds of ‘jokes’ have no place in our community,” the release said.

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