Middle school student charged with threat of mass violence

Student threatened the school if it did not close

A middle school student, who sent out a threatening email to staff members last week, was charged with making a threat of mass violence, according to police.

On March 14, several staff members at Piccowaxen Middle School, on Rock Point Road in Newburg, received an email that contained a vague threat of violence. The sender indicated “something bad would happen” if the school wasn’t closed the following two days, according to the Charles County Sheriff’s Office. There was no mention of weapons or exactly what would occur.

School officials immediately notified the sheriff’s office, and an investigation was launched. As a precaution, officers were stationed at the school as the investigation was underway.

Detectives worked with school staff members and internet service providers throughout the day and into the night and subsequently identified an address of where the e-mail came from, according to the sheriff’s office.

Detectives responded to the address and, after speaking with a parent, were able to identify the sender as a juvenile male, who attends the school. The juvenile was charged with making a threat of mass violence and disturbing school operations.

Detective J. Elliott and Det. C. Shankster investigated.