ST. THOMAS — The V.I. Police Department is investigating a social media video in which a minor male allegedly made threats toward students and school staff while displaying what appeared to be a rifle, though officers later confiscated and examined the object and determined that it was not an actual firearm.
School Resource Officers and Juvenile Detectives were alerted to the video at approximately 7 p.m. Thursday, August 20. According to VIPD, the minor was seen making threatening statements concerning a bag tag that had reportedly been removed from his school bag while displaying the object.
Investigators subsequently located the minor and his parents and requested that they report to the Juvenile Bureau. The object depicted in the video was confiscated and examined, after which police confirmed it was not a real firearm. VIPD did not announce any arrest or charges in its Friday release.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
VIPD said it takes threats involving students, school personnel and the wider community seriously and urged parents and guardians to speak with young people about the potential consequences of making threats or displaying imitation weapons under threatening circumstances.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the VIPD Juvenile Bureau at 340-774-2211, extensions 5540, 5541 or 5542. In an emergency, residents should contact 911.
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