16-YEAR OLD CHARGED WITH MAKING THREATS OF MASS VIOLENCE AGAINST LOCAL SCHOOL
Queen Anne's County, MD - A 16-year-old student from Queen Anne's County has been charged with making threats of mass violence following a series of concerning social media posts. The Queen Anne's County Office of the Sheriff (QACSO) confirmed the charges after conducting a thorough investigation in conjunction with local school officials.
On February 21, a School Resource Deputy and Queen Anne's County Public Schools (QACPS) staff were alerted to a video shared online by the student. The video allegedly contained non-specific violent threats targeting students from Kent Island High School.
The incident was reported by multiple individuals, prompting law enforcement and school officials to take immediate action. The student was suspended from school and issued a no-trespass order for Kent Island High School.
Later that same day, additional threats were posted on social media by the student, further escalating concerns. The Sheriff's Office responded quickly, visiting the student's residence to address the situation with the student's guardians.
Law enforcement worked closely with school officials and the State's Attorney's Office throughout the investigation, determining that there was no immediate danger posed to Kent Island High School students or staff.
The evidence gathered led to charges being filed against the student for making a threat of mass violence. Sheriff Gary Hofmann emphasized the seriousness of such actions, stating, "Any threat of violence-whether online, in person, or through social media-will be treated as real and met with serious consequences. We want every student to understand that making these types of statements, even in anger, can have lasting impacts. Our priority is keeping our schools safe, and we will take action to ensure that."
Dr. Saelens, a representative of Queen Anne's County Public Schools, praised the strong partnership between QACPS and the Sheriff's Office, acknowledging the swift and efficient handling of the matter. She reiterated the importance of maintaining open communication channels to protect the community's safety.
To report any threats or concerns related to school safety in Maryland, the Safe Schools Maryland Tipline, managed by the Maryland Center for School Safety, is available 24/7. Reports can be submitted anonymously at 1-833-632-7233 or online at schoolsafety.maryland.gov. Immediate threats should be reported to 911 without delay.
