A 15-year-old student at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School has been charged in connection with bomb threats made against the school on May 16, 2024, according to Montgomery County Police. The threats led to the school being closed and the deployment of SWAT and K-9 units and other resources to ensure the safety of students and staff.
After a joint investigation by the Montgomery County Police Department’s Behavioral Assessment and Management Division and the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, a 12-year-old boy from Pennsylvania was identified as the caller, police said.
The two are also responsible for the bomb threats against Walt Whitman High School and Bethesda Elementary School on May 17.
The 15-year-old is accused of asking for help on social media to report a bomb threat at his school and paying the 12-year-old an undisclosed dollar amount. The Bethesda teen has been charged with multiple counts, including threatening mass violence, making a false statement, extortion and other offenses related to the event.
During the incident, the 15-year-old reportedly communicated with the 12-year-old in real time, giving him information, updates and instructions while making the threats. The caller demanded payment of a certain dollar amount to prevent bombs from detonating at the school.
Maryland state law prohibits charges from being brought against the 12-year-old, but the actions of both individuals disrupted school life and necessitated a closure. After a search of the campus, it was determined that no bombs were present and students were dismissed from classes for the day.
The 15-year-old was charged and handed over to his family.
