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PEORIA, Ariz. (KSAZ) - Police say a 12-year-old boy has been arrested for making threats towards a Peoria school through social media.
The Peoria Police Department says the boy, who attends Alta Loma Elementary School, made threats through social media towards Santa Fe Elementary School. Alta Loma is located near 87th Avenue and Mountain View Road, while Santa Fe is about two miles away near 79th Avenue and Peoria Avenue.
The boy allegedly threatened to conduct a school shooting and posted a picture of a gun to social media, threatening to kill 6th graders at Sante Fe Elementary.
Police later located a toy gun at the boy's home.
Police say the boy was arrested after two students contacted school officials and informed them of the social media threats on February 13.
"These threats were deemed to be credible due to the statements made regarding the action. The Peoria Unified School District was notified of the incident and arrest and was ensured that the suspect would not be on campus today. These matters are extremely serious in nature, cause fear and disruption of an educational institution, and are not tolerated by the Peoria Unified School District or the Peoria Police Department," stated Officer Brandon Sheffert of the Peoria Police Department.
Parents expressed their concerns Tuesday afternoon.
"I never thought that would ever happen," parent Alyssa Escobar. "I fear for my daughter being here."
The suspect was booked into the Durango Juvenile Detention Center. Due to the child's age, his name was not released.