Student charged with felony for threats made at Sabino High

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Posted 6:50 PM 10/30/2012 : Sabino student released from custody

TUCSON- A 14-year-old Tucson boy is back home after being arrested in connection with a threat made at Sabino High School. The teen was picked up Monday night and taken to Pima County Juvenile court. He was cited for threats and intimidation.

It's the second time Pima County Sheriff's deputies have been in contact with the freshman. The first was October 10th when the teen was arrested, released to his parents and cited for the same thing. Then, last Friday the teen was found looking up material about serial killers on a computer while at school.

Monday, Sabino's principal sent a letter to parents saying the school is investigating.

Deputies are working with the school to have extra security on patrol around the campus on Halloween.

Some of the students News 4 spoke with say the school is over reacting.

Peter Wilkes says the suspect, " He's one of my friends in my 6th period. He's actually really nice I don't why everyone is talking about him like that. " Wilkes considers him a teddy bear, who is extremely bright.

Brad Albrecht says he understands why the school reacted the way it did in contacting authorities and sending out letters to parents. "I think it's really good the district took drastic measures because if something real were to have happened it's good to know they are ready for something in case it does happen."

Micah Scholes says, "I still don't find it possible someone at my school could do that."

Debra Kitchens says, "It's Halloween, I mean come on you're dressing up and stuff. I'm dressing up as a zombie for Halloween does that mean I am going to go around eating people's brains, no."

Cara Rene a spokeswoman for the Tucson Unified School District doesn't believe the school over reacted, "When school safety and student safety and safety of our staff members are a priority we are going to do whatever we have to do to make sure people are safe."

Posted 3:34 PM 10/30/2012 : Student charged with felony for threats made at Sabino High

TUCSON - The Sabino High School student who made several threats of violence at the school this month has been charged with a felony, and TUSD is working on additional security measures in response.

Capt. Chris Nanos told News 4 Tucson that the first incident occurred on October 10, when the freshman student was arrested and turned over to juvenile authorities after making threats to shoot other students. Then on October 26th, the same student was discovered using a computer on campus looking up material on serial killers.

On Monday, detectives followed up with the suspect and his parents, according to PCSD spokesperson Deputy Tom Peine. He was arrested and released to his parents on the spot, and given a citation for a felony charge of Interfering With an Education Institution.

News 4 Tucson has also obtained a copy of a letter given out to students from the Office of the Principal at Sabino on Monday. In it, Principal Valerie Payne cites rumors on campus "about threatened violence" and refers to a freshman student stating "I am going to come to school dressed as a serial killer."

Principal Payne also stated in the letter that there will be extra security on campus on Halloween, this Wednesday. Deputy Peine confirmed that the sheriff's department is working with TUSD to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff on Halloween.