Federal authorities arrested a young person in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday evening after they allegedly made threats of violence towards a school. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the arrest during a press briefing on Thursday.
The juvenile was taken into custody in Ward 7 following an investigation that began due to social media posts threatening school violence. Authorities executed a search warrant and found seven firearms in the juvenile’s possession. The charges against the young person include threats to kidnap and injure, receiving stolen property, unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition, and possession of a large capacity feeding device.
Leavitt addressed concerns from parents about school safety after a tragic shooting in Minneapolis earlier that day. In that incident, a man opened fire at the Annunciation Catholic School, resulting in the deaths of two young children, ages 8 and 10, and injuring 17 others. The shooter later took his own life.
During the briefing, Leavitt expressed sympathy for the families affected by the Minneapolis shooting, stating that the administration is committed to removing safety threats from communities. She emphasized the importance of being vigilant and reporting any warning signs or threats to law enforcement.
This arrest is part of a broader law enforcement effort that has seen 1,283 arrests in D.C. since August 7, including 105 arrests on the same night as the juvenile’s arrest. Among those detained were individuals with prior criminal histories and a known gang member.
The First Lady, Melania Trump, also highlighted the need for early intervention in identifying potential school shooters, urging Americans to report concerning behaviors. The administration is taking these threats seriously and is focused on ensuring public safety.
