SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Classes and after-school activities were canceled at Scarborough High School Tuesday due to a threat made via text message.
According to a letter from school officials addressed to Scarborough families and staff, "a serious threat of safety at Scarborough High School was made via text messaging from an unknown individual."
The Scarborough Police Department said in an updated release Tuesday evening that the suspect responsible for sending the threatening messages has been identified and arrested out of state.
According to the updated release, "criminal charges are being sought."
Police said the threats made are no longer credible.
Scarborough police alerted school officials of the threat Monday evening, according to the release.
School officials said classes and after-school activities were canceled Tuesday as a precautionary measure, and all staff members were told to stay home. The situation remains under investigation.
The school closure caused concern for students and families.
"We just got a text message that says there was a threat made to Scarborough High School. We don't know if it were school faculty or students and just that there wasn't going to be any school. So it sure is unsettling not knowing where the threat came from," Jessica Willette said.
Willette said she's the parent of two middle schoolers and a high school-aged student in Scarborough.
"We're just waiting it out for some answers," Willette added.
Scarborough Public Schools declined to speak with NEWS CENTER Maine about the incident and the school's response on Tuesday.
"We are still investigating the source of the threat and working in conjunction with the superintendent's office about the best course of action going forward," Scarborough Police Chief Mark Holmquist told NEWS CENTER Maine in an email.
"At this point, this is still an active investigation and we won't be conducting an on-camera interview until we obtain further details that can be released," Holmquist added.
"Everybody from the school is talking about it, but nobody knows what's going on," Zac Bly, a senior at Scarborough High School said.
"School shootings are getting to be a more common occurrence. It's just something that makes it more scary to be here. I'm happy I'm graduating," Bly added.
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