NEWPORT – Police took a 14-year-old Newport High School student into custody on an accusation of disorderly conduct Tuesday night after he posted on social media implying there would be a shooting at the school Wednesday.
In a news release Wednesday, Newport police said the student’s threat “had no validity and there was no active threat to any students or to the school.”
The student is in the Linn County juvenile detention center in Albany, police said.
Police said they were notified by parents about 6 p.m. Tuesday that there was a Snapchat post being shared online alleging a threat and implying a school shooting might occur Wednesday.
“Officers immediately began investigating the source of the threat and, with the assistance of the Lincoln County School District, a suspect was identified and interviewed,” police said in the release.
Police said they decided to take the student into custody “due to the great deal of alarm caused by the threat …”
“Although it was determined the statement was made in poor taste, the Newport Police Department and the Lincoln County School District have zero tolerance for threats against schools or the children who attend them,” the news release said.
Police said they are still investigating the case and if people have information to contact Sgt. Mike Leake at 541-574-3348. The Newport Police Tip Line is available at 541-574-5455, or Text-a-Tip at 541-270-1856 or tipline@newportpolice.net.
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