PHOENIX — An 18-year-old student was taken into custody Saturday by Phoenix police after they allegedly posted an Instagram video last month containing threats against Horizon High School.
According to court records, the student posted a 42-second video on Nov. 2 that depicts a conversation between them and another student.
The defendant allegedly told the other person that they have "thought of planning a school shooting" at Horizon High School. The student additionally tells the other person they intend to get an AK-47 from a friend whose parents allegedly own firearms, court records show.
The teen was taken into custody Saturday and is facing a criminal charge for allegedly making a terrorist threat.
The Paradise Valley Unified School District said it was not made aware of the defendant's threat until Dec. 3.
"Horizon High School is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment. Our first priority is the safety and well-being of our students and staff. We take all incidents of this kind seriously," the district wrote in a letter.
Citing privacy reasons, the district declined to respond to questions asking whether the student has been disciplined for the alleged threat. The defendant was attending another school in the district at the time the video was posted.
Editor's Note: 12 News is not identifying the defendant at this time.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.