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Vermilion teen arrested for making a school shooting threat via Snapchat

Posted at 7:56 AM, Mar 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-20 08:08:42-04

A Vermilion teen was arrested on Saturday, March 18 for sending a mass school shooting threat via Snapchat.

The Erie County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence after receiving a call about a photo circulating Snapchat that stated: "Did someone say mass shooting." In the picture was a male holding what appeared to be a shotgun.

Officers spoke to the male in the photo. He explained that he and his friends were making a video for school. The male stated the gun was a BB gun, not an actual shotgun. He claimed that he did not take the photo and wasn't sure who did because he had multiple friends over the last few days.

Officers questioned other friends who were at the residence. One of the friends stated it was a female friend who posted the picture on her Snapchat story.

When officers questioned her about the picture, she admitted to posting the picture on her Snapchat story. She said she didn't mean anything by it, claiming it was just a "joke" and that it was  "stupid."

Vermilion School Resource Officer Beckwith received multiple complaints regarding the photo. At the time of the threat, the school was hosting a concert.

Officers arrested the female for aggravated menacing and transported her to the Erie County Detention Home where she was fingered printed and currently awaiting an arraignment date.