Police: Threats involving bombs, school shootings lead to arrest of Clifton student
The teen is facing multiple charges, including terroristic threats.
Police say a 17-year-old Clifton High School student is facing multiple charges for making threats of violence aimed at specific staff members and fellow students last month.
Police say the threats were "in the form of electronic communications and were very specific in nature including threats of bombs, school shootings and death threats towards students and staff members."
Four threats were reported between Jan. 27 and Jan. 29 of this year, according to police.
"These incidents led to the activation of numerous security measures, temporary disruptions to the school day, modifications of scheduled events, large-scale responses from law enforcement and many hours of collaboration with school administrators and our law enforcement partners," Clifton police said in a statement.
Following an investigation, police were able to identify a Clifton teen as being responsible for the threats. The student, who attends Clifton High School, was taken into custody at the school on Feb.3. He has not been identified due to being a minor.
The student was charged by police with 14 counts of terroristic threats and six counts of false public alarm. Police said he was detained at the Essex County Juvenile Detention Center. In addition to the charges the teen is already facing, Police said police are also looking into several other similar incidents dating back to last year and that "additional charges are expected to be filed as the investigation continues."
"The safety and security of our schools is our highest priority," the police statement said. "Every available resource will be used to ensure a safe and comfortable learning environment for students and staff members."
Clifton police detectives from the Juvenile Division along with the Passaic County Sheriff's Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and school district officials are all taking part in the investigation.
