Perry County 14-year-old charged after posting threatening list at school

(Elliottsburg) — State Police have charged a West Perry School District ninth-grader with terroristic threats and harrassment.

Police spokesman Brent Miller says the move follows an investigation that began in November, after the 14-year-old boy allegedly threatened people by making a list on a school computer.

Miller says, after last week’s school shooting in Florida that killed 17 people, law enforcement and the Perry County District Attorney want to let people know the threats were handled and that the public wasn’t in immediate danger.

“It was to get the information out there, especially with the events that are occuring nationwide, and just to bring some ease to especially individuals who go to this school district.”

Police say the boy didn’t take steps toward carrying out the threats.

Miller declined to say whether the list was posted on social media, but mentioned its role in an increase in threats at schools.

“I don’t think there’s a particular rhyme or reason to these,” he said. “I just know that with social media and the other forms of communication out there, it seems that there has been somewhat of an increase with threats going on at schools.”

The list included 24 students and 10 school administrators — and resulted in 34 charges of terroristic threats and 34 charges of harrassment.

Per state law, the Perry County District Attorney’s office notified those who were named before court proceedings began. Also in accordance with state law, the boy’s name has not been released because he’s a minor.