The Newton Police Department has resolved a second potential school threat in a week, and has made a second arrest. Late Wednesday afternoon, Berg Middle School Assistant Principal Jennifer Hooks sent out a letter to school staff and parents acknowledging the Newton Police Department’s prompt assistance in resolving the verbal threat, and commending the student who reported them. Hooks added that all reports of potential threats to students, staff, or members of the Cardinal Community are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess says at approximately 10:50 a.m. on Monday, a Newton Police School Resource Officer was notified by staff at Berg Middle school that a student had reported that another student had made the comment that they were going to commit an act of violence against the school. The suspect, a 12-year-old male juvenile, was immediately located and detained by school staff while an investigation was conducted by the Newton Police Department and school officials. The juvenile suspect was transported to the Newton Police Department and faces a class D felony charge of making terroristic threats. He has been released to his parents. Burdess notes the school district has seen two threats in a very short period, which underscores the importance of community awareness. He asks parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of these actions and encourages anyone who has knowledge of threats towards schools to come forward immediately, as early reporting allows the police to act quickly.
A former 17-year-old male student of Newton Senior High School is facing seven charges following a social media threat that led to a four-hour soft lockdown of the high school last Thursday.
