Bend Police say they’ve arrested a teenager in connection with alleged threats made toward Bend High School.
According to a release from Bend PD today, officers arrested 16-year-old Zachariah James Mello Johnson Wednesday, after an investigation in which officers say Johnson had been contemplating a shooting at Bend High.
During the investigation, officers say they found “the means to complete the shooting” during a search of Johnson’s home—though cops say Johnson did not have access to those items. Officers say Johnson made threats over a “popular social media platform.” After a mental health evaluation at St. Charles Medical Center, cops say Johnson was taken to the Deschutes County Juvenile Department on charges of Disorderly Conduct.
Of the three threats Bend PD has investigated regarding schools in Bend in the past nine days, officers say this is the first they’ve deemed credible. This one was separate from another alleged threat this past weekend against Bend High, police say.
Since the investigation is ongoing, Bend PD encourage anyone with information to call Bend PD at 541-693-6911.
In response to the arrest, Superintendent of Bend-La Pine Schools Shay Mikalson had this to say today: “To say that I am concerned and deeply troubled by this youth’s alleged behavior would be an incredible understatement. However, I am incredibly grateful for the efforts of the Bend-La Pine Schools’ staff, our proactive safety measures, Bend Police, and most for our culture of safety that emphasizes to all, ‘When you see something, say something.'”
As a reminder, students and the wider community can report tips via safeoregon.com —a tool Mikalson said was critical over the past nine days.
This article appears in Feb 21-28, 2018.
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As a Bendite and a parent, I thank you for your vigilance, Ms. Vulcan–and the rest of the amazing Source staff. You are covering serious breaking news in real time while also publishing a stellar alt-weekly. You do us all a great service.
As an older sister and younger sister of 2 siblings who went to Bend High Schools i am very disappointed in the fact that 3 schools had threats and kids were still forced to attend, also school staff often searches kids phones when taken up or are a distraction and for some reason you guys didnt go through these several children’s phones making threats, honestly am not happy with the way this situation is being handled…disorderly conduct seriously!!! this and these students need to be put in juvenile or be charged as adults sense they are in H.S they know the unsafe game they are playing and they think its a joke.