Juveniles identified as suspects in Colorado Springs school threat ‘hoax’ case

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – Police say they’ve tracked down a possible perpetrator for a social media post threatening several Colorado Springs middle and high schools.

The post began circulating online Monday through Tuesday and quickly went viral. It included a list of schools, according to the author, “all the high schools and middle schools that will be shot.” The post was aimed at districts 2 and 11.

Both counties told 11 News Tuesday morning the threat was a hoax.

“This appears to be similar in nature to the false and baseless social media threats that have been circulating over the last few weeks,” said Jessica Wise of Colorado Springs School District 11. “That said, we pursue each threat with the same rigorous investigation “

“This post is invalid,” echoed Christine O’Brien of Harrison School District 2. “Scams like this require time and resources from law enforcement and school districts.”

Both districts operated normally on Tuesday.

Springs police, along with the FBI, located the address of the house where the post office was set up and found the young suspect there. The suspect’s age was not released, but he is under 18 years old. Law enforcement seized the phone from the home, and CSPD says charges are pending.

Whether the suspect intended it or not, the social media post targeted schools on so-called “count day,” a key day for school attendance. The data snapshot plays a role in funding all districts in the state.

“It’s disappointing that someone would spread this rumor and be so malicious at any time, but especially on a day that impacts school funding,” O’Brien said.

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