West Plains 12-year-old arrested for terroristic threats at middle school

WEST PLAINS, Mo. – A 12-year-old from Howell County has been arrested and charged with first-degree terroristic threats.

According to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office, investigators received a tip that the boy was telling other students at the West Plains Middle School that he had a gun in his backpack on April 18. When searched, investigators found no firearm in the backpack.

On April 22, investigators found out that the 12-year-old had not come to school, but had sent a Snapchat to another student containing a photo of a firearm and a threat.

Officers went to the 12-year-old’s house and arrested him for making terroristic threats. During the arrest, the boy’s mother and grandmother resisted cooperation with officers, according to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office.

The boy’s mother was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Texas County and the grandmother was arrested for interfering with law enforcement. The boy’s 17-year-old brother was taken into custody by the Juvenile Division.

The weapon from the Snapchat photo was found in the home after offices searched it.

As the 12-year-old is a juvenile, his identity will not be released.

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