Tuesday, December 18, 2012

A Maize South High School student is facing a heap of trouble after sending out a serious threat on the social media website Twitter.

The 15 year-old student was arrested Monday at his home near 34th St. N. and Ridge Rd. in Wichita, according to Wichita Police Lt. Doug Nolte.

"Kids sometimes make decisions that, unfortunately, they may not realize the ramifications," Nolte said. "And in this situation, this young man's comments got him into trouble and we don't want to see that repeated."

Nolte did not know exactly what the the student tweeted, but said all threats like this must be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly.

"We do not believe that it was a credible threat," Nolte said. "However, this is something that certainly was heightened given the recent school shooting events."

The Maize school district is currently on Christmas break and was not in session when the threat was made. Students and faculty notified the Maize South school resource officer, who notified Wichita Police since the school and the student's home are both in the city limits of Wichita.

"From my understanding, he was at his house away from school property," Nolte explained. "However, the decisions and the things kids say can definitely be taken in the context of a serious threat and while they may think it's funny or joking, law enforcement and school officials and the public, I think, don't view it that way."

Police are not identifying the student.