A juvenile is in custody for terroristic threats after a threat of violence was made on social media to the Lenox Community School.
According to a Taylor County Sheriff’s Office press release issued Sunday, at approximately 8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 5, administration of the Lenox Community School was made aware of a threat of gun violence at the school district. Administration notified the sheriff’s office and a joint investigation into a possible suspect began.
“Through the diligent effort and full cooperation between multiple agencies, at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 6, a juvenile male was charged with terroristic threats and was turned over to the custody of Iowa Juvenile Detention Center,” stated the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office in its press release.
On Saturday, Lenox School District Superintendent Dave Henrichs issued a statement to parents of students in the district, stating a potential threat had been made on social media which, after an initial investigation by the district and sheriff’s office, was deemed not credible. Henrichs said the threat did not include specific names of students or staff but did include the name of the school district.
School will continue this week as regularly scheduled. Staff at the school will implement safety protocols and Taylor County Sheriff’s Office says there will be an increased law enforcement presence at the school.
Due to the age of the suspect and the nature of the charges, no further information on the case will be released.
Assisting in the investigation were Lenox School administration, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa Juvenile Court, Maryville Public Safety and the Adams County Sheriff’s Office.