Two students charged for allegedly threatening Methuen school

Authorities charged two minors suspected of threatening to bomb Methuen schools over the weekend, police said.

Both suspects are 14-year-old students at Methuen High School, the Methuen Police Department said in a statement. Police arrested one suspect at their home on Sunday.

“Those found responsible will face significant legal consequences,” said Methuen Police Chief Scott McNamara. “While these threats were not deemed credible, it does not lessen the serious impact they have had across our community. Our priority is and will remain, the safety of our community.”

Authorities charged both suspects with threatening to use explosives and disrupt school, the statement said. The arrested suspect is currently held at $10,000 cash bail.

It is unclear if both suspects knew each other or worked together.

Threat made to Timony Grammar School

The first threat targeted Donald P. Timony Grammar School on Sept. 7. After an investigation, which included a search of the suspect’s home, police deemed the threat uncredible. The statement said the threat was “nonspecific.”

Police say the matter is under investigation, but they are deferring to Metheuen Public Schools for disciplinary action.

Threat made to Methuen High School

A different suspect made a separate bomb threat to Methuen High School the following night, on Sept. 8, police said. Students and parents saw the threat on social media and reported it to police, the statement said. 

The statement said this threat was more specific than the previous one.

“Threats of violence will not be tolerated in Methuen. All threats are taken extremely seriously and thoroughly investigated, with those responsible facing the consequences of their actions, both under the law and under school codes of conduct,” the department said in the statement.