KENT, Ohio — An 11-year-old Kent student who attends Stanton Middle School was arrested overnight and charged with making terrorist threats after police were alerted to an alleged school threat shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday.
“Two Stanton Middle School students were having a conversation by text when one student made threats of a school shooting,” according to a press release from the Kent Police Department. “The suspect reiterated the threat, prompting the other student to responsibly notify someone.”
A police report reveals a portion of the conversation between the two students:
- Student 1 (11-year-old boy arrested): “Ur on my list”
- Student 2: “Of?”
- Student 1: “School shooting?”
- Student 2: “Oh hell no”
- Student 1: “Oh hell yes” “How many friends u have?” “I like to watch people die”
Police tell 3News investigators worked to identify the suspect and his home address through social media and the boy’s number.
When officers arrived at the suspect's home, they say he and his family were cooperative.
“The suspect and his family cooperated with the investigation, and he admitted to making threats and showed police his phone conversation,” according to Kent police.
After police consulted a prosecutor, the child was arrested shortly before 2 a.m. Friday and taken to the Portage Juvenile Detention Center.
Out of an abundance of caution, police say Kent City Schools announced that Stanton Middle School was closed for the day Friday.
Kent Police Lt. Michael Lewis said this incident is sadly the latest in a trend of increasing school threats.
“Unfortunately, this is something that we are just seeing way too much of,” said Lewis. “It’s becoming way too common.”
Karyn Kravetz, associate director for the Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County, says it’s also important for parents to check in on their students’ mental health as they process the sudden changes in school schedule and potential anxiety surrounding student safety.
“You know, sometimes your kid might not wanna talk to you, and you’re asking ‘hey, how are you feeling about this?’ And if they don’t wanna talk that day, that’s okay, just let them know the door is open,” said Kravetz.
3News has reached out to Kent City Schools for comment. We will update this story upon their response.