Gaithersburg, MD - A 15-year-old Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School student has been charged in connection with bomb threats made against the school on Thursday, May 16, 2024. The threats led to a lockdown of the school and the deployment of SWAT, K-9 units, and other resources to ensure the safety of students and staff.
Following a joint investigation by the Montgomery County Department of Police - Behavioral Assessment and Administrative Unit and the FBI's Baltimore Field Office, a 12-year-old Pennsylvania boy was identified as the caller.
The two are also responsible for bomb threats made to Walt Whitman High School and Bethesda Elementary School on Friday, May 17.
The 15-year-old is accused of soliciting help on social media to have someone to call in a bomb threat at his school, and paying the 12-year-old an undisclosed dollar amount. The Bethesda teen has been charged with multiple counts, including threats of mass violence, making a false statement, extortion and other felony charges related to the event.
During the incident, the 15-year-old allegedly communicated in real-time with the 12-year-old, providing information, updates and instructions as the threats were being made. The caller demanded that a certain dollar amount be paid to prevent bombs from detonating at the school.
Maryland state law prohibits charges from being filed against the 12-year-old. However, the actions of both individuals caused disruption to the school day, forcing a lockdown, and taking an emotional toll on the students, staff, and the community. After a search of the campus, it was determined that no bombs were present, and students were dismissed for the day.
The 15-year-old was charged accordingly and released to his family.
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