On September 14, 2024, at approximately 8:00 PM, Sahuarita Police officers received information from Sahuarita High School administrative staff regarding threatening emails from an unknown sender. The emails consisted of threats to “shoot up” multiple parts of Sahuarita High School on September 16, 2024. The threats caused great concern amongst school officials, parents, students, and the Sahuarita Police Department (SPD). Numerous parents of students kept their children home for multiple days out of fear of what might happen.
In the following days after the initial school threat was received (Sept.16-19, 2024), additional threats were received by SHS staff, again with someone threatening to shoot people at various school functions. During this time, SHS limited outdoor activities at the school and took extra security precautions on campus. The SPD assigned additional police officers for two weeks to different SUSD schools.
The investigation was led by detectives of the SPD Criminal Investigations Bureau (CIB). It was discovered the threatening emails were being sent from a Proton account (an encrypted email service routed through Sweden). Due to the circumstances of the threats, SPD sought assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Almost two months later, the SPD received information from the FBI, advising of a lead associated with the Proton account used and a Sahuarita resident. SPD detectives continued their investigation with this lead. The SPD continued to work with SUSD and others to help identify a possible suspect.
Earlier today, the SPD arrested a local juvenile Sahuarita resident for eight (8) counts of terroristic threats and disruption of an educational institution. The suspect was booked into Pima County Juvenile Detention Center.
If you or someone else may have information associated with this case, we'd like to speak with you. Anyone with information may contact the SPD by calling Dispatch at 520-351-4900 or 9-1-1. Or you may call 520-344-7000 during business hours, Monday through Friday, or by contacting our TIP Line at 520-445-7847.