The NOPD today (March 7, 2018) arrested a 15-year-old juvenile male in connection with alleged threats made on social media against two local schools.

At around 8 a.m., administrators at The Net Charter High schools called police in reference to a post on social media outlet Instagram where a threat was made to “shoot up” the school’s two campuses – one located in the 6600 block of Franklin Avenue and one in the 1600 block of O.C. Haley Boulevard – today. NOPD officers were immediately dispatched to both locations, and the City of New Orleans’ Office of Homeland Security was notified. Out of an abundance of caution, school administrators chose to close both campuses for the day. No incidents occurred at either campus in relation to the threat.

Through the course of the investigation, NOPD Third District Detectives developed a juvenile male (DOB: 07-10-2002), who was identified as a student at the school’s O.C. Haley Boulevard campus, as the perpetrator of the alleged threatening social media post. Third District detectives obtained a search warrant the juvenile’s residence in the 2500 block of Thalia Street and, along with NOPD Tactical Intelligence Gathering and Enforcement Response Unit officers, executed the search warrant. Investigation revealed several electronic items commonly used in posting to social media.

A short time later, the juvenile suspect was apprehended and, based on evidence and information obtained during the investigation, placed under arrest. He was booked into the Youth Studies Center for terrorizing, as well as for intimidation and interference with the operation of schools.

Anyone with further information on this incident is asked to contact Third District detectives at 504-658-6030.