Two Students Arrested for Posting School Shooting Threats

Las Cruces police have arrested two students suspected of making online threats to carry out shootings at local schools.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested for making online threats to carry out a shooting at Camino Real Middle School. A 15-year-old girl was arrested for making a similar threat directed toward Centennial High School. The arrests were made Sept. 13 and Sept. 16, respectively.

Both students are charged with unlawful threats toward a school. Police will not publicly identify the students since they are both juveniles.

The Las Cruces Police Department and Las Cruces Public Schools officials learned of the threats made on social media. In addition to the police investigation, administrative investigations were conducted at Camino Real Middle School and Centennial High School to ensure student, staff and community safety.

Although students and staff were not under an immediate threat, the incident falls into a pattern of threats spread on social media that caused school security to be tightening last week. LCPD will continue to collaborate with public school officials to monitor schools and ensure the safety and security of students, faculty and staff.

The Las Cruces Police Department is committed to investigating all threats to help ensure the safety of our community.

This investigation is ongoing.

Anyone who sees or receives a threatening post is asked to refrain from forwarding it to others, or reposting it, as doing so may cause unnecessary fear and widespread panic. Police encourage anyone who sees or receives information that is believed to be threatening to screen-save the content and immediately alert law enforcement by calling 911.