ST. John, IN – The FBI aided local police in the arrest of a 15-year-old Lake Central High School student after a bomb threat was made via airdrop message just before noon Monday that read, “bombing the school, it will go off as soon as the bell rings this is not a joke.”
St. John Police officers and a bomb-sniffing police K9 conducted a search of the school on May 1st and school officials decided to dismiss students early as a precaution.
After reviewing security camera footage, St. John police officers observed two students enter and exit the classroom where the message was sent. Upon questioning and forensic analysis of the students’ cell phones, it was determined that the message had originated from one of the devices in police custody.
The teen was charged Friday afternoon with three counts of Intimidation, Level 5 Felonies, and seven misdemeanor charges, including False Informing, Harassment, and Disorderly Conduct.  The unidentified teen us now being housed at Lake County Juvenile Detention Center.
The St. John Police Department emphasized the seriousness with which they take threats to school safety and thanked the FBI for their assistance in bringing the matter to justice.
The investigation is ongoing, and the identity of the student has been withheld due to their age.
