Bloom-Vernon Local Schools have been in constant communication with the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and received the following information this morning:
NEWS RELEASE
February 22, 2018
SUBJECT: TEENAGERS ARRESTED AFTER SCHOOL SOCIAL MEDIA THREAT INVESTIGATION.
Scioto County Sheriff Marty V. Donini stated that his office, and The Portsmouth Police Department received numerous calls on February 21, 2018 from parents concerned about sending their children to school after reading social media post from a snap chat account in the name of Brie Savage. This post stated that New Boston, Portsmouth, Clay, West, and Waverly Schools better watch out that someone was coming to shoot people at the school.
Captain John W. Murphy stated that the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office detectives along with the Portsmouth Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and New Boston Police Department have been working on these threats since approximately 7 pm that resulted in the snapchat account being traced back to an address on State Route 23 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Scioto County Sheriff’s Office detectives along with the Portsmouth Police Department responded to this location at 1:40 am where two juveniles were detained for questioning as a result of this investigation. The 16 year old male juvenile was arrested and charged for escape for running away from a foster home he was not involved in the social media threats.
After a further investigation that resulted in the search of a 15 year old female’s cell phone, she was arrested and charged with 5 counts of inducing panic a felony of the fifth degree one count for each school listed and one count of making a terroristic threat a felony of the third degree. Both juveniles were transported to the Ross County Juvenile detention center and will appear in juvenile court on February 22, 2018.
Sheriff Marty V. Donini stated the quick arrest was a joint effort of the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Portsmouth Police Department, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, and New Boston Police Department along with the community and school officials who reported these threats. The schools involved with this threat will have a law enforcement presence at the schools. This is an ongoing investigation that could result in additional charges at a later date. Anyone with any information should contact Detective Jodi Conkel at 740-351-1091 all calls will remain anonymous.
Thank you to all law enforcement entities for your efforts!