16-year-old arrested for allegedly threatening to attack Port Orchard school



PORT ORCHARD, Wash. (AP) — Officials with the Kitsap County Sheriff's Office say they've arrested a teen in connection with posting comments on Facebook that threatened to cause harm at a junior high school.

In a news release, sheriff's officials say a 16-year-old boy threatened to cause harm at Marcus Whitman Junior High School in Port Orchard by violent means, indicating the use of firearms and explosives.

Detectives responded to a report of the postings late Wednesday and determined such comments were made by at least three teens.

The 16-year-old reportedly told police the postings were done as a joke but said he understood why people may have become alarmed.

He was arrested on a felony harassment charge. Other teens reportedly involved have been contacted and interviewed, police said.