Trending
WEIRTON -- The youth allegedly involved in a threat against Weir Middle School Monday is now facing felony charges, while officials continue to investigate it and other threats made this week.
According to Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney Steven Dragisich, the individual, who has been identified by law enforcement as a sixth-grade student at Weir Middle, has been charged with threatening a terroristic act under West Virginia Code 61-6-24(b).
If found guilty, the youth could face fines of between $5,000 and $25,000, or confinement in a state correctional facility for one to three years, or both.
"I have zero tolerance for any individual who makes any such threats in Hancock County," Dragisich said. "The safety and security of the teachers, students, and citizens of Hancock County are of paramount importance to me. Accordingly, any individual, whether a juvenile or an adult, making any similar terroristic threats will be charged and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Hancock County Schools and Weirton Police were made aware Monday of a message posted through the social media platform SnapChat making the threat against Weir Middle. Weirton Police Chief Charlie Kush reported Monday, officers were able to locate the suspected individual, and have spoken to the family.
Additional threats were reported Tuesday, resulting in the closure of Hancock County's public schools on Wednesday, along with all after-school activities.
"Law enforcement and I have been notified of similar terroristic threats being made in Hancock County on or about (Tuesday)," Dragisich said. "These threats are currently being investigated, and the responsible individual(s) will be charged and prosecuted accordingly."
Hancock County Superintendent Dan Enich, in a statement released Wednesday evening, noted the school district's administration has been working with Dragisich's office, law enforcement and officials from other counties to address the threats.
"I met with the sheriff, prosecuting attorney, Weirton Police Chief Kush, the assistant prosecuting attorney, HC BOE member and police officer Gerard Spencer, other superintendents, all of our principals, and assistant principals," Enich said "We are working through every lead that is received."
Enich offered his thanks to all involved in the investigation.
"In talking to law enforcement, they have had some strong leads that we hope bring this issue to a close sooner than later" Enich said.
The threats in Hancock County are among a string being made at schools throughout the Ohio Valley this week.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations has been involved in some of those cases.
"The FBI is aware of recent threats directed toward multiple school districts across Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia," said a statement issued by the FBI. "We remain in close coordination with our law enforcement partners to provide assistance where appropriate. That includes gathering intelligence, sharing information, tracking down leads, and working with partners to identify and mitigate threats quickly and effectively."
The FBI noted issuing any kind of threat promoting violence can be a violation of both state and federal law. Officials encourage students, teachers, administrators and parents to report such activities to their local 911 dispatch, or to the FBI by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at tips.fbi.gov.