GAITHERSBURG, MD — A 17-year-old Montgomery County Public Schools student is facing charges after allegedly leaving a threatening voicemail targeting a school principal and multiple demographic and religious groups, officials said Thursday.
Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Department’s Community Engagement Division – Behavioral Assessment and Administrative Unit (BAAU) charged the teen with making threats of mass violence and committing a hate crime related to race and religion.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on Tuesday, March 18, when school staff received a voicemail containing threatening language directed at the school’s principal and various groups. Officers from the Community Engagement Division were called to the scene shortly after the message was discovered.
During the investigation, detectives identified the male suspect as a current MCPS student. His name is being withheld due to his age.
The voicemail reportedly included language that investigators deemed targeted and discriminatory in nature, prompting the hate crime charge in addition to threats of violence.
Key Points
- A 17-year-old MCPS student is charged with threats of mass violence and a hate crime.
- The student allegedly left a threatening voicemail on March 18 targeting the school principal and various groups.
- Juvenile Services will handle the case due to the suspect’s age.
Juvenile suspect’s case proceeds through Maryland’s youth justice system
The Montgomery County Police Department stated the case is being transferred to the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, which manages legal proceedings involving minors.
Officials have not released the name of the school involved or further details about the content of the voicemail.
