Teen charged with threatening Wheeling High School
A sophomore at Wheeling High School accused of posting a threat against the school on social media has been charged with a felony, police say.
The 16-year-old boy from Wheeling was charged in juvenile court Wednesday with felony disorderly conduct, Deputy Chief Todd Wolff said.
Authorities said the boy posted an image of gun with a written threat on Snapchat, which students and parents reported, Wolff said.
Police determined the boy did not own a gun or have access to a firearm but increased their presence at the high school Tuesday as a precaution, he said.
If convicted, the boy faces a wide range of possible sentencing, including being held at a juvenile detention center or probation, Wolff said.
"That's what kids need to learn," Wolff said. "The ramifications of their actions - even if they perceive it as a joke - it's not going to be treated as a joke."