CAPE ELIZABETH — A 16-year-old boy was charged with misdemeanor terrorizing after reports of threats made on social media led to the closing of all schools Monday.
The student was arrested around 6 a.m. Monday morning at a home on Minot Street in South Portland, after a search warrant was executed by a regional SWAT team and additional South Portland and Cape Elizabeth officers.
Police said the teenager was expected to be released Monday into the custody of a parent or guardian.
All Cape Elizabeth schools were closed “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a statement on the School Department website.
Police Chief Neil Williams said students saw the posted threats and reported them to CEHS Principal Jeff Shedd on Sunday night. According to Williams, the threats on an undisclosed social media platform were “general in nature.”
“They were alarming enough to the students to bring them to our attention and once we saw them, we agreed,” Williams said.
Police won’t release the teenager’s name because he is a juvenile and is facing a misdemeanor charge, Williams said, although he acknowledged the boy attends Cape Elizabeth High School.
The search warrant was executed without incident and there were no injuries. According to Williams, the SWAT team was called in in case something “went wrong.”
“It’s always better to be prepared,” he said.
The investigation was wrapping up Monday morning and Williams said police believe the threat was been eliminated.
Interim Superintendent of Schools Howard Colter said schools would be open on Tuesday.
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