Police investigate online threat made against Phoenix high school

PHOENIX — Students and staff at a Phoenix high school were threatened online by someone who posted an image of a gun and a message that read, “Kids are next, can’t wait.”

Classes were still scheduled Monday at Mountain Pointe High School but officials said the social-media post was brought to their attention late Sunday, called police and posted notes to alert anyone who would be be on campus.

9/23 at approx 11:30 pm. Families & Staff: we are aware of the threat made to our school via social media and have notified police. We will post information to our website as we learn more. https://t.co/EF69FvhDY0

— Mountain Pointe HS (@MtPointe_TUHSD) September 24, 2018

A note was also posted at the school website and the Tempe Union High School District website.

The note said the threat didn’t seem to be related to a similar threat made last week.

Students were told not to bring backpacks and that if they stayed home they would not be penalized.

Girls going to school were asked to use small or clear purses.

Extra security was to be stationed at the school near Interstate 10 and Ray Road in the Ahwatukee area.

School officials said in an email late Monday that they will continue to enforce a non-backpack rule on campus as the investigation continues.

Sgt. Vince Lewis with the Phoenix Police Department said in an email Tuesday that the same threat may have been reposted online the night before and asked parents to not speculate or spread rumors on social media.

Less than two weeks ago, two teenagers in Mesa were arrested for making separate threats on social media promising violence at their campuses.

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