A 12-year-old boy is under arrest for a school shooting hoax in Minnesota.
Police in New Prague received a 911 call Wednesday morning that there was a shooter in a school building armed with an AK-47, the Associated Press reports.
The call prompted the district to lock down several buildings at the middle school, high school, and other campuses. However, authorities quickly determined that it was a hoax, and identified a 12-year-old boy as the prankster.
After police determined that no one was hurt and there was no armed intruder, they quickly arrested the 12-year-old boy. This is the second time that this school district was subject to such a hoax. Earlier this year, another student called in a bomb threat and was subsequently expelled.
While the pre-teen was arrested, he likely will not face adult criminal charges for the prank under Minnesota law.
Given his age and the severity of the crime, the 12-year-old likely faces juvenile penalties which can include being held in a juvenile detention center, being released into his parent’s custody under strict rules, or some other similar penalty.
To be charged as an adult, the child would have to be at least 14 years old and have committed a serious offense like a major felony. So while he will likely face some sort of punishment if found delinquent for causing the hoax, this prankster will likely not be thrown into jail with hardened criminals.
Related Resources:
- 12-year-old boy arrested in Minnesota school lockdown (MSN News)
- 2 Teen Athletes Convicted in Ohio Rape Trial (FindLaw’s Blotter)
- Juvenile Incarceration Rate Lowest Since 1975 (FindLaw’s Blotter)
- Boy, 12, Admits to Ashton Kutcher ‘Swatting’ Prank (FindLaw’s Celebrity Justice)
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