Mariner student arrested following written threat
A 16-year-old student at Mariner High School has been arrested in connection with a threat scrawled on the wall in a boys bathroom on Monday.
Christen Joseph Nieves was charged with written threat to conduct a mass shooting and criminal mischief in connection with the school shooting threat.
The threat, written in a black permanent marker, stated “Shoot Up Feb 14.”
“The principal was informed of the threat by a student who wished to remain anonymous,” a release issued by the Cape Coral Police Department Tuesday states. “According to that student a photo of the threat was being sent via Snapchat. The student informed Principal (Thomas) Michel that the photo of the threat was sent by Christen Joseph Nieves…”
School Resource Officer Chris Lucas was notified and immediately began an investigation with Det. Nicholas Jones of the CCPD Major Crimes Unit also becoming involved.
A check of the school surveillance video Tuesday morning “revealed that Nieves did enter the bathroom where the threat was located that day around 11:32 AM. Nieves was in the bathroom for approximately two minutes and then left.”
Based on the social media post and the video, Nieves became a suspect, officials said.
“Based on the entire investigation by the Community Services Bureau and the Major Crimes Unit, probable cause existed that Christen Nieves did write a threat to commit a mass shooting in a manner to allow others to view the threat and did intentionally damage the property of another valued at less than $200,” the release states
Following his arrest, Nieves was transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Lee County law enforcement agencies and the School District of Lee County announced a zero tolerance policy regarding school threats in January.
“These fake threats will not be tolerated. February 14th is the shooting anniversary of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland Florida which makes this fake threat even more vicious