Pinal Today

From January 27, 2023 Post.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Police Investigate School Threats

Casa Grande, AZ – On Wednesday, January 25th, 2023, the Casa Grande Police Department responded to Cactus Middle School and McCartney Ranch Elementary School to investigate an online threat. Cactus Middle School staff reported a social media post was being shared on campus depicting a rifle and handguns with a message threatening this school, McCartney Ranch Elementary School, and students of both. 

Investigating Officers quickly discovered the post was created by an 11-year-old 6th grade student at Cactus Middle School to convince her friend’s parents to allow her friend to skip school for the day. The 11-year-old created this post by taking a stock image from the internet and adding a threatening message to it. Administrative actions will be the responsibility of the Casa Grande Elementary School District. A felony charge of Disruption of an Educational Institution will be forwarded to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office for review. 

Police Officers remained on both campuses to ensure safety during this investigation. During this time, Cactus Middle School staff advised a 13-year-old 8th grade student was just found to be in possession of a fake handgun. Officers responded to that area of the school and, after determining there was no active threat, began to investigate this incident. Officers discovered the 13-year-old purchased the fake handgun the day before from a local convenience store and brought it to school to show his friend. He carried it around in the front pocket of his hoodie and pulled it out in the bathroom to show others. Another student in the bathroom reported this to school staff immediately. Administrative actions in this case will also be the responsibility of the Casa Grande Elementary School District. A misdemeanor charge of Disruption of an Educational Institution will be forwarded to the Casa Grande City Attorney’s Office for review.

These two incidents come less than a week after submitting charges on a high school student in possession of a firearm at Casa Grande Union High School. Additionally, an 8th grade student in Mesa was found to be responsible for creating a threatening social media post shared throughout our school community. 

City of Casa Grande Chief of Police Mark McCrory said “Once again, our public school officials responded accordingly by quickly reporting these events. We are working closely with Dr. Leckie and Dr. Battle of both the elementary and high school district administrations to ensure the safety of all youth and staff. It is imperative that students are aware of the potential consequences of these types of actions. It is equally important that parents of our students are aware of the potential consequences, as they may possibly be held accountable for their children’s actions”. 

Original Source Can Be Found Here.