GPD arrests 2 additional minors in connection to school threats

Two 12-year-old boys are the latest to be arrested in a series of online threats about committing harm at different schools.

Detectives with the Juvenile Investigation Section of the Guam Police Department took into custody one 12-year-old on Monday in connection to an online threat made the day before, according to a release prepared by acting GPD public information officer Sgt. Paul Tapao. The threat was "wanting to shoot up (V.S.A. Benavente Middle School)," according to the release.

The other 12-year-old also was arrested on Monday, but it was regarding a social media post on Friday threatening, "mass harm to students of (F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School)," police said in the release.

Both minors were charged with terroristic conduct and destruction of evidence, and were confined at the Department of Youth Affairs, GPD added in the release.

Both cases were forwarded to the Office of the Attorney General, but the investigation remains open.

"The Guam Police Department continues to remind parents to have conversations with your child on positive decision-making skills. Monitor what your child they view and post online. As always, 'If you See Something, Say Something'" the GPD release stated.

Monday's arrests follow the arrest of a 16-year-old boy on Friday over a similar social media threat made on Thursday, except that was directed at John F. Kennedy High School. The teenager was confined at DYA as well, and was charged with terrorizing/terroristic conduct and assault on a police officer.

Last week's arrest was announced during a joint press conference Monday between GPD Chief Stephen Ignancio and Guam Department of Education Superintendent Kenneth Erik Swanson. At that time, Ignacio stated that more arrests may be forthcoming. He stated that the Juvenile Investigation Section and the FBI were taking part in the investigation.

"The folks at the local police department and the FBI are working hard on this because they want to bring it to a close. I hope that by (Tuesday) they can do that," Swanson said on Monday.

Simon Sanchez High School and JFK High, which share the JFK campus in Tamuning, as well as F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School, were all closed Friday following threats of violence against students.

Although officials stated the 16-year-old was taken into custody in connection to threats made toward JFK High, they also discussed other threats made to schools in late September, including the threat made toward BMS.

A bullet was also found and confiscated from a student at BMS, according to Ignacio. A threat had also been made to Notre Dame High School, a private school.