Teenager arrested in threat against Charlottesville schools: report

Two teenagers were arrested on Friday after they allegedly threatened to shoot up two separate high schools in Charlottesville, Va., The Daily Progress reported. 

Charlottesville High School was threatened with an “ethnic cleansing” on Wednesday night, which caused the school to close on Thursday and Friday, according to the paper.

Charlottesville police said in a statement that it arrested a 17-year-old male in connection with the threat in a statement Friday. It said that the threat contained “biased-based language targeting specific ethnic groups.”

“Any potential threats made against our schools, credible or not, are taken seriously and will be vigorously investigated,” police said in a statement. 

PRESS RELEASE: Juvenile Arrested in Connection to Online Threat Against Charlottesville High School. Chief Brackney will be holding a press conference at 1 p.m. pic.twitter.com/RiMuNP4tuH

— Charlottesville Police Department (@cvillepolice) March 22, 2019

The threat was reportedly posted on websites 4chan and 8chan by a person claiming to be a Charlottesville student. 

Officials at Albemarle High School were reportedly informed of a similar threat on Thursday. Albemarle County police said in a statement that the threat was being investigated as an isolated incident. It added that, “out of an abundance of caution,” there will be increased police presence at county schools. 

Release: Albemarle County Police make arrest in social media threat against Albemarle High School. pic.twitter.com/mkHZOCk6fD

— Albemarle County Police Dept. (@ACPD_VA) March 22, 2019