Arrest made in school bomb threat

A 13-year-old middle school student has been placed into custody and charged with felony possession of explosive or incendiary parts after bomb components were discovered in the boy’s home.

Arapahoe County sheriff’s deputies responded to a bomb threat at Newton Middle School, 4001 E. Arapahoe Road, in Centennial on Wednesday, April 18, after another student reported the threat to school staff.

School officials reported the incident to an ACSO resource officer assigned to the school.

Additional patrol deputies and a bomb squad also responded to the call.

According to a media release provided by the ACSO, an initial investigation revealed that another student had knowledge of the threat, and it appeared credible, and that “the juvenile subject had taken steps toward completing the threat.”

Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson lauds the actions taken and said in this case, the system worked as it should.

“When we received the information from the school that something might be amiss, the school resource officer and others all came together in collaboration,” said Robinson. “It’s because of this collaboration we were able to prevent what might have otherwise been a tragic event.”

With consent of the homeowner, investigators and bomb squad technicians searched the subject’s residence throughout the day and found evidence to substantiate the threat’s credibility.

The juvenile subject was then placed into custody and transported to the 18th Judicial District Juvenile Assessment Center.

“I just want to add that the student who came forward is a hero who demonstrated a great deal of courage and made a real difference in the lives of her fellow students and community,” Robinson said of the student who reported the threat.

Robinson said the suspect is now scheduled for a number of court appearances and will remain in custody at the JAC until the court determines otherwise.