Second Juvenile Charged in Weir Middle Threat Cases; Buckeye Local Student To Remain in Custody

A second juvenile has been detained and is facing charges in connection with threats made this week against Weir Middle School.

In a statement, the Weirton Police Department identified the second juvenile as a 13-year-old female and seventh-grade student at Weir Middle. She is reportedly being housed at a juvenile detention facility, awaiting her arraignment in Hancock County Magistrate Court today on a charge of threatening a terroristic act.

A post was made to the social media platform Snapchat stating, "I am coming for you guys. This is more people on my list," Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney Steven Dragisich said Thursday, adding that the post named seven juveniles who attend Weir Middle. References to "shooting up" the school were made in the same account's conversation section, and those references were distributed to multiple students.

The second detainment comes a day after the first juvenile, identified by law enforcement as a Weir Middle sixth-grader, was also charged with threatening a terroristic act. Law enforcement continued to investigate similar terroristic threats being made against the school, according to Dragisich.

"I would like to thank the Weirton Police Department, namely Detective Randy Kernen, Officer Josh Dennis, Officer Sam Krzys, Officer Stevie Jo Banannio, Detective Gerard Spencer, Detective Brian Beatty, Deputy Chief Scott Cook and Chief Charlie Kush and the Hancock County Board of Education for their tireless dedication and effort in determining and apprehending the above juvenile responsible," Dragisich said.

Hancock County Schools Superintendent Dan Enich issued a statement on social media, noting he's been involved in meetings with county, state and law enforcement officials since Monday.

"I want to report that I have been advised and it is confirmed by these officials that the recent social media threats directed at (Weir Middle School and Hancock County Schools) have been appropriately addressed. I have also been informed that the direct threat no longer exists."

Although schools "nationwide" continue to experience generalized threats, the imminent threat for Hancock County schools "no longer exists," Enich said, adding that the district will operate under a two-hour delay schedule for Friday and staff will report at normal times.

Because of the ongoing threats nationally, the district will not accept deliveries to its main office, Enich said, and vendor deliveries will be arranged by office staff. Also, school administration will explain backpack procedure and other management issues to students Friday.

Meanwhile, the juvenile who allegedly posted threats to the Buckeye Local school community on social media, disrupting classes and panicking parents, will remain in custody, a Jefferson County judge ruled Thursday.

The juvenile's initial appearance was a brief one, held behind closed doors, and at the conclusion Sheriff Fred Abdalla Jr. said the judge had determined that, "at this time, the child will be remanded back to the detention center pending filing of charges and completion of a diagnostic assessment."

The juvenile was initially arrested by sheriff's deputies on a charge of inducing panic, but Abdalla said it's the prosecutor's office that will determine the actual charges.

"These types of threats are devastating to the community," Prosecutor Jane Hanlin said. "They cause so much fear and panic for teachers, parents and students. In light of the soaring number of school shootings across the country, every threat must be investigated quickly and thoroughly. We are proud of school officials, students and families, and our law enforcement community, for taking all necessary steps to keep our children safe. The prosecutor's office will determine appropriate charges for the juvenile in the coming days."

The threats, first reported Monday, led to a heightened law enforcement presence and a modified lockdown at all Buckeye Local schools that day, Abdalla said. A second threat surfaced Tuesday evening, "this time listing individual students by name."