Threat At Potomac Shores Middle School Leads To Charges For 13-Year-Old Boy: Police

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — A 13-year-old boy from Dumfries was criminally charged on Monday after he was accused of threatening Potomac Shores Middle School via social media. Authorities did not say whether the boy was a student at the school.

The Prince William County Police Department first learned of the threat around 11 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12. The department's investigation determined that an unknown person sent messages through social media that threatened violence at the school. The messages were then sent to the department and the middle school's school resource officer.

On Sunday evening, the school resource officer identified the person who sent the messages as a 13-year-old boy from Dumfries. Officers also determined that there was no credible threat to the school, according to the police report.

The police department said the case would be handled by juvenile court services.

The boy has not been publicly identified due to Virginia laws intended to protect the privacy of minors. He is charged with one count of threats by electronic means. According to Virginia code, threats by electronic means is a Class 6 felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Read more: More Threats Reported At Fred Lynn, Potomac Shores Middle Schools

Potomac Shores Middle School was the subject of multiple threats in a month's time. On Nov. 12, principals Potomac High School, Gar-Field High School, and Potomac Shores Middle School sent an e-mail to parents notifying them about a potential threat.

Over the past month, schools across the region have seen an uptick in threats. Last week, a boy from Arlington was charged after he was accused of threatening violence at Potomac View Elementary School.

Read more: Threat To Potomac View Elementary Came From Arlington Boy: Police

None of the threats at schools in the area have been credible, authorities noted. Still, local law enforcement agencies have said that they take these threats seriously.

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