Teen arrested as suspect in online threats that closed south metro schools

A teenager was arrested Tuesday in connection with online threats against high schools in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan school district that led to classes being canceled on five campuses.

An investigation by several law enforcement agencies identified a 16-year-old boy as the suspect, according to a statement Tuesday afternoon from the Apple Valley Police Department.

“This extensive investigation led to the execution of a search warrant in the city of Eagan,” read the statement, which offered no details about where in the city the search occurred.

No weapons were found during the law enforcement search, the statement continued.

The teenager, whose identity has not been released, remains in custody and awaits charging by the Dakota County Attorney’s Office.

“This case has involved multiple school districts, law enforcement agencies, and impacted thousands of students, staff, and families,” the police statement noted.

As a precaution, neighboring Burnsville High School and that district’s alternative high school had also closed early Tuesday. By early afternoon, the south metro district decided to dismiss all middle and elementary students early.

“We do not believe these threats are related” to those against the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan schools, a Burnsville police statement said.

In the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan district, District 196, officials called off all evening activities and events, including athletics, community education classes and facility rentals due to “high levels of concern among the community,” a statement on the district’s website reads.

“Rumors throughout the community and metro area have escalated,” the statement said. “We believe students and families are best served at home with their children this evening.”

Child care will remain open until 6 p.m.

On Monday night, police in Apple Valley were alerted to messages posted online that “referenced possible harm to several high schools” in District 196.

The investigation included efforts to trace the online accounts used to disseminate the threats, police said.

District officials late Monday also received word of the “potential threats” directed at Apple Valley, Eagan, Eastview and Rosemount high schools as well as the School of Environmental Studies, and decided to call off classes.

“School was canceled to allow time for local law enforcement to investigate,” said district spokeswoman Janet Swiecichowski.

Parents were notified of the closure early Tuesday, and some students had already arrived at school. Those students were dismissed and buses brought them back home, the district said.

Social media posts circulating online appeared to show videos and images of guns with the caption, “What should I shoot up avhs or Evhs.” Another post appeared to be a threatening post listing Burnsville, Rosemount, Eastview and Apple Valley high schools. The post warns that it is “no joke.”

The run of school threats this week stretched to central Minnesota, according to police in Baxter.

Police in the city just west of Brainerd said they learned Monday night of a threat directed at Forestview Middle School.