CRANBERRY TWP — A 14-year-old Seneca Valley student was arrested after a disturbing social media account threatened violence at school last week, putting students and parents on alert.

In a web post Wednesday, the Seneca Valley School District alerted parents, students and the community that the student allegedly behind a TikTok account which posted vaguely threatening messages has been “identified and arrested.”

“The 14-year-old male student is an eighth grader in the district and has been formally charged with Terroristic Threats and Disorderly Conduct,” the message states. “He will also be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the district's discipline policy.”

Seneca Valley was able to identify the student through the Jackson Township Police Department and TikTok's safety team, the message, which was authored by Superintendent Tracy Vitale and Jackson police Chief Terry Seilhamer, said.

The school district went to remote instruction last Friday after the TikTok account posted three videos. One stated, in part, the account's owner would live-stream on Instagram, saying, “So many deaths will be caused.” The second and third both included the phrase, “I'm ready for tomorrow,” adding it is “time for the purge at school tomorrow (Friday) morning.”

While the alleged perpetrator was apprehended, the district said it would take additional actions when students and staff return Jan. 3. The district will conduct “random and unannounced metal detector/bag checks” on the secondary campus, and asked parents to remind students they are not permitted to bring knives, medications, tobacco or tobacco-related devices to school.

“As for digital citizenship, proper online behavior is a topic that is embedded in our technology lessons,” the statement reads. “We ask our families to work with us in partnership on this topic by monitoring their child(ren)'s social media activity and speaking with them about appropriate online conduct.”

Seneca's message also states “any activity on Seneca Valley's laptops or network that is threatening in nature can and will be captured, preserved and shared with police,” and reminds parents police can “trace an IP address, which identifies the device/user who posts such information.”

The district asked students to report “knowledge about threats” to the district, police or the district's safety and security supervisor.

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