Teen arrested and shipped to juvenile hall after threat of terrorism against school in Fort Dodge

FORT DODGE – A teen was arrested and shipped to juvenile hall after a threat of terrorism against a school in Fort Dodge, police say.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at approximately 2:08 PM, staff with the Fort Dodge Middle School informed the Fort Dodge Police Department’s School Resource Officer assigned to that location of information they received concerning a potential threat involving the use of a firearm by a student at the campus. In response to and in accordance with policies and procedures put in place, the campus was immediately placed in a secure lock down so that the safety and security of students and staff was best accounted for while a full investigation was conducted. Students were released from their respective lockdown locations as searches of those locations and personal property were completed in order to ensure that no items of evidentiary value were present that could pose a threat to students or staff.

All available officers with the Fort Dodge Police Department and Webster County Sheriff’s Office, along with detectives from the respective Criminal Investigation Divisions, responded and the student who is suspected of making the reported threat was quickly detained. Police say that following the initial investigation and based on information received during the interview, there is no reason to believe that the physical safety of any student or staff was ever in danger.

In response to this threat, a thirteen (13) year old male student has been detained by law enforcement officials and held on the following charges:

* Threat of Terrorism (D Felony)
* Harassment 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)

The suspect will be transported to Central Iowa Detention in Eldora with this matter being referred to the Webster County Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Court Services for further action. The Fort Dodge Police Department is continuing to investigate this incident and encourages anyone with information to contact police immediately. Information may also be submitted anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Police say that the swift action by students and staff, along with a collaborative effort by the Fort Dodge Community School District, Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Office, and Webster County Attorney’s Office led to this swift resolution.