YUMA, Ariz. – A 12-year-old boy is in trouble after police say he threatened his parents during a youth soccer league group chat.
What we know:
On December 29, the Yuma The police department said parents in a group chat received a “threatening text message” referring to “a potential incident planned for later today at Ray Kroc Sports Complex“.
As a precaution, police carried out additional security checks at the complex and the football league canceled training.
Investigators discovered through their investigative work that the sender was a young boy. He has not been identified.
“With the assistance of the Arizona Counterterrorism Information Center (ACTIC), YPD officers identified the sender as a 12-year-old juvenile. It was determined that the juvenile’s phone number was mistakenly added to the group chat and that he had no affiliation with the football league,” Yuma police said.
The boy allegedly admitted to sending the text and said it was meant to be a joke.
What they say:
“Charges will be forwarded to the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center (YCJJC) for review,” police said. “The Yuma Police Department has worked closely with the Football League, Yuma City Parks and Recreation and all assisting agencies, and would like to thank them for their cooperation and support. YPD takes all threats seriously and will thoroughly investigate each incident to ensure public safety.”
What you can do:
Anyone with information about this incident, or with concerns about this incident, is asked to call Yuma PD at 928-783-4421, or to remain anonymous, call 928-782-7463.
