Charlottesville authorities have made an arrest related to online threats that closed public schools for two days.
Police say they were notified Wednesday of the message on the website 4chan that involved violent threats against Hispanic and African-American students at Charlottesville High School.
Chief RaShall Brackney says her department worked with local, state and federal authorities to identify the suspect.
“We executed a search warrant in Albemarle County for the suspect, and as a result, arrested and charged a 17 year old juvenile in connection with those threats," says Brackney.
The individual faces felony and misdemeanor charges.
State law prevents the release of information related to juvenile arrests, including the person’s name, but officials say the suspect is not a student at CHS.
According to Brackney, the threatening message was posted on the dark web, which made identifying the individual a little tricky.
“But, internet providers assisted us, law enforcement professionals, nationally and internationally, were assisting us with those types of endeavors so that we could mine and get the correct information and identify the suspect," she says.
The local community was also helpful in apprehending the suspect by notifying authorities of the online post.
"That's the great thing about social media these days that although people try to hide and remain anonymous behind it," says Chief Brackney. "There are a lot of individuals out there who will not allow you to stay hidden in your hate."
Officials say the threat against CHS was not related to a similar one that occurred last week at nearby Albemarle High School. Police also made an arrest in that case.
Charlottesville's nine public schools will re-open on Monday.
