Suspect Charged for Dubuque Hempstead Threats
CONTACT:
Lt. D. Brendan Welsh, Bwelsh@cityofdubuque.org, 563-589-4473
Asst. Chief Joseph Messerich, Jmesseri@cityofdubuque.org, 563-589-4411
03/03/23 -- For Immediate Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa – In early February, the Dubuque Police Department responded to several reports involving someone threatening violence at Dubuque Hempstead High School. These incidents included someone calling 911 and making reports that were later determined to be false. However, these threats caused undue stress on persons and resources within the school district, the police department, and within the community.
Police immediately began investigating these threats and recently identified a 16-year-old Dubuque Hempstead student as the source of them. This student is not allowed on school property and has been charged with making a threat of terrorism, a class “D” felony in the State of Iowa. A class “D” felony carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine up to $7,500.
Threats of violence directed towards any Dubuque schools, including their staff and students, are taken very seriously and investigated thoroughly by the Dubuque Police Department. This investigation is still on-going and the identity of the minor that has been charged will not be released at this time.
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