Police say a 17-year old male from Westbrook is facing a juvenile charge of terrorizing for allegedly making a threat over social media against students at Casco Bay High School in Portland. The alleged threat prompted the cancellation of classes Wednesday at the high school and at the Portland Arts & Technology School, which share a campus.
“In the threat there was a combination of photographs and video that was sent to this group within Snapchat, and in it was depicted a handgun, a person holding a handgun, and then verbal threats were made,” says Portland Police Lieutenant Robert Martin.
Martin says the initial investigation points to a longstanding dispute between two different groups of teens outside of school. He says the teen who was arrested was not personally involved in the dispute but acted on behalf of an acquaintance.
Police seized a BB-gun during the arrest.
Martin says this is the latest in a number of similar incidents in recent months.
“We're getting more times where we're getting 15, 16-year olds, young adults, in possession of real guns, and also BB guns, and utilizing them in a threatening manner during these disputes.”
The teen was released to the custody of his parents. Classes will resume Thursday at Casco Bay High School.
