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Surprise 5th graders accused of planning to harm fellow student: PD

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Updated  October 3, 2024 6:00pm MST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 10 Phoenix

AZ 5th graders accused of threatening fellow student

The Brief

    • Four students at Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise have been arrested in connection with a "plan to carry out an act of violence towards a fellow 5th grade student," according to Surprise Police.
    • The students are also fifth graders themselves.
    • The suspects are accused of misdemeanor charges of threatening and disorderly conduct.

SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Surprise Police Department says it arrested four students in connection with what they say was a "plan to carry out an act of violence towards a fellow 5th grade student."

In a statement released on Oct. 3, police identified the four students as fifth graders from Legacy Traditional School - West Surprise.

"The students were not armed, and there is no threat to the school or the surrounding community," read a portion of the statement. "The students admitted to making the threats of violence towards another student and were released to their parents."

Surprise Police Chief Benny Piña said the investigation "is the result of brave students reporting dangerous activity to their school staff, who quickly involved their assigned School Resource Officer to ensure the safety of the student and school."

Police say charges of misdemeanor threatening and misdemeanor disorderly conduct will be filed with the Maricopa County Juvenile Court for each of the suspects.

News of the arrests came as various schools in the Phoenix area received threats in recent weeks. The most recent incident happened on Oct. 2, when a threat prompted a lockdown at Sierra Linda High School in Phoenix.

The Source

  • Information for this article was gathered from a news release issued by the Surprise Police Department, with supplemental information gathered from previous FOX 10 reports.

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