17-year-old Phoenix boy arrested in connection with online threat against West Valley school

PHOENIX — A 17-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with an online threat made against a West Valley charter school on Thursday, authorities said.

Due to the threatening social media post, Imagine Prep at Surprise put safeguards in place on Friday, including canceling two basketball games.

According to the Surprise Police Department, officers took the teen boy into custody at his home in Phoenix on Friday.

He was then booked into Durango Juvenile Detention Center on charges of making a terroristic threat and interference with or disruption of an educational institution.

Police said that through its investigation it confirmed the boy was not a student at Imagine Prep at Surprise, which is located near Reems and Greenway roads.

West Valley school principal says precautions still being taken

Despite the teen boy’s arrest, Principal Daniel Hattley said in a Friday letter to families that the charter school would still have safeguards in place and additional police present on campus on Monday.

Those precautions include:

• School staff providing increased supervision before school, during lunch and at dismissal.
• All visitors being required to present photo ID upon entry.
• All student activities being kept indoors and outdoor dining areas and fields being closed.
• Regular sweeps of inside hallways, exterior common areas and the parking lot.

However, Hattley noted that all practices and games are expected to resume Monday after being canceled on Friday.

“We appreciate the courage shown by the students who came forward to help keep their campus safe,” Surprise Police Chief Evan Becher said in a press release. “Any threat of violence against our schools is a serious matter and will be taken as such. Individuals who participate in this behavior will be held completely responsible for their actions.”

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Surprise Police Department at 623-222-4000, 623-222-TIPS (8477) or email crimetips@surpriseaz.gov. Police asked those who reach to reference incident No. #260101131.

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