LAPLACE — Sheriff Mike Tregre announced today that an arrest has been made in connection to threats of violence concerning several St. John Parish public schools.

A 13-year-old female juvenile, a student in the St. John Parish Public School System, was arrested this morning, and booked with two counts of principal to terrorizing.

After receiving a report from school officials on the afternoon of Saturday, April 30, 2022, detectives immediately began investigating the threats, and the investigation continued into this morning.

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 30, 2022, images began circulating on social media with messages threatening shootings at East St. John Elementary, East St. John Preparatory Academy and East St. John High School. Through investigative measures, as well as assistance from state and federal authorities, detectives were able to identify a 13-year-old associated with these threats.

Out of an abundance of caution, additional security measures and law enforcement personnel were stationed Monday through Wednesday at the school sites. This included use of metal detectors and having students at the impact sites refrain from bringing backpacks to school.

“I want to reassure the community that we work closely with St. John Parish Public Schools District to ensure the safety of students and faculty,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “When we learned of these threats, we immediately partnered with local, state and federal law enforcement officials to fully investigate these threats.”

Sheriff Tregre also issued a warning about posting threats.

“Making a threat to our schools is likely to result in an arrest and criminal charges, including the charge of terrorizing that will be on your record for the rest of your life,” Sheriff Tregre said.

Sheriff Tregre also asks parents and students not to share images or rumors of threats on social media to prevent public fear and panic. Please report threats and rumors to school and law enforcement officials to properly investigate.