A Westbrook teenager is in custody and charged with terrorizing in connection with threatening messages sent to some Casco Bay High School students on social media.In a press release, Portland Police Department spokesman Lt. Robert Martin says a 17-year-old male was taken into custody at around 9 a.m. Wednesday. Martin says a BB gun was seized during the teen's arrest.
"With this arrest the Portland Police Department hopes the students, staff and faculty can resume classes and regain their feeling of normalcy," Martin says, in the release. He says police and school officials will work together to ensure that the school is safe to reopen.
Classes were canceled Wednesday at the high school, and at the adjacent Portland Arts & Technology High School, known as PATHS, after faculty members notified police about the threats.
The information came to light at the end of the school day Tuesday after some students told faculty members about the threats. Lt. Martin says students were sent home at the usual time and no lockdown was implemented.
Police continue to investigate the threat, but say it likely involves a longstanding dispute between two different groups that has been occurring outside the school.
The 17-year-old suspect was issued a juvenile summons and released to his parents custody. He is prohibited from being on school department property.
Updated Nov. 20, 2019 at 12:02 p.m. ET.
