Cape Cod School Gunman Hoax: Juvenile Charged

WAREHAM, MA — A juvenile has been charged in connection with a hoax gun threat at Wareham High School in July, police announced this week. The unidentified juvenile was charged with communicating a threat with serious public alarm. The case is being handled as a juvenile and criminal matter, police said.

The incident happened July 10 on the first day of summer school and drew a massive police response — including a SWAT team and armored vehicle. The threat was reported on a Monday morning, drawing multiple news helicopters to the scene. At one point, police demanded the helicopters clear the scene so police could concentrate on the search. It took police hours to search the building before they determined the threat was a hoax. No one was hurt during the chaos.

Wareham Police Chief Kevin Walsh said Monday that officers investigated the case for months before identifying and charging the suspect.

"I ... hope that our citizens, including our youth, realize the seriousness with which the Wareham Police Department and Wareham School Department address this type of matter," Walsh said in a statement. “I am proud of the efforts of the detectives involved in this case, whose relentless and diligent investigation clearly shows that Wareham PD did not rest until all measures were taken and probable cause to file a criminal charge was attained."

The threat was issued in the form of an anonymous email and "communicated a threat involving the use of a weapon to cause great harm," Walsh said. "The incident was addressed with all precautionary measures in mind to preserve the safety of the children and staff attending the school session, as well as the safety of all responding personnel. Thankfully, the threat incident proved to be unfounded, and everyone involved, especially children of all ages, were safe and reunited with their family members."

At the time, Walsh said authorities would "prosecute to the fullest" that suspect when he or she was found.

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