Muscle Shoals Police: teen arrested after sending school threat via text message

MUSCLE SHOALS, Ala. (WAFF) - A 13-year-old was arrested on Monday night after police say the juvenile sent a text message including a threat against Muscle Shoals City Schools.

According to Muscle Shoals Police Chief Clint Reck, Muscle Shoals City School officials and the police department received a screenshot of the text message just after 8 p.m. on August 28. Just after 9:30 p.m., the identity of the person responsible was confirmed.

The teen was arrested and turned over to juvenile authorities in the area. Due to the teen’s age, no identity will be released at this time.

Chief Reck said the message has been “thoroughly investigated” and no active threat is present against students or staff of the school system. Muscle Shoals City Schools Superintendent Chad Holden said a savvy parent helped this situation.

“It’s unfortunate but in the world that we live in today of cell phones and social media it’s very important that we educate kids about the appropriate use of technology,” Superintendent Holden said. “I love in this situation that a parent intercepted that message. A parent who was monitoring their child’s cell phone usage. Which is so helpful. I mean it’s a great deterrent if a parent will do that.”

Superintendent Holden said schools operated normally today.

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