Threat Towards Manassas Middle School Leads To Arrest Of 14-Year-Old Boy: Police

MANASSAS, VA — A 14-year-old boy from Glen Allen faces in charges in connection with online threats that targeted Benton Middle School in Manassas, the Prince William County Police Department said. Police claimed that the boy posted threats on social media.

Authorities have not released the exact contents of the threat, but said it included potential violence towards Benton Middle School, located on Hoadly Road in Manassas.

Officers with the Prince William County Police Department began an investigation on Friday evening after students at the middle school saw the threat and told family members. Detectives with the Intelligence Unit identified the sender of the threat on Saturday, the police department said. The identity of the 14-year-old boy has not been publicly released due to Virginia laws designed to protect the identities of minors.

Detectives said that there was never a credible threat to the school. The boy was charged on Monday, and his case will be handled through Juvenile Court Services.

The Prince William County School system currently operates an anonymous tip line, which can be reached at 703-791-2821.

The school also has a partnership with the "Say Something" Anonymous Reporting system, which allows students and community members to report concerning situations online or through an app.

Tips submitted to "Say Something" are handled by a crisis counselors at the Sandy Hook Promise National Crisis Center. The crisis counselor will then determine next steps, based on the nature of the tip. The counselor can reach out to school administrators or emergency personnel. Their hotline can be reached at 1-844-5-SAYNOW. Anonymous school safety tips can also be submitted online.