Teen Arrested For Allegedly Threatening Mass Shootings At High School, Movie Theater, Police Station

An Arizona teen was taken into custody after he allegedly threatened mass shootings at a local movie theater, high school and police station.

Police said that Joshua Adam Bowen, 19, was arrested Sunday near his home in Casa Grande, reported Fox News. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had contacted the Casa Grande Police Department regarding comments that the teen made online. He allegedly threatened to hurt people by shooting at multiple locations, including a school.

Bowen threatened his family and friends, and also praised the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, said police. The school shooting that happened last month saw an 18-year-old gunman shooting dead 19 school students and two teachers. Later law enforcement reached the scene and shot and killed him.

Bowen was immediately put under surveillance by detectives. They were able to arrest him without incident. No weapons were found in his possession at the time of his arrest. But detectives said that they got information that led them to believe the teen may have access to firearms.

Casa Grande Chief of Police Mark McCrory said in a statement that there was no doubt in his mind that the teen was "intent on hurting people and, ultimately, would have found a way to do it," reported Arizona’s Family. He shared that the investigation began after law enforcement got a tip from a citizen. He noted that they are not immune to the issues they see across in the U.S., but "our department will be diligent in investigating all threats and will continue to encourage citizens to report this type of behavior to law enforcement.”

Fox 19 Now reported that police thanked the FBI and Pinal County Sheriff’s Office for helping in the investigation. McCrory said that in this instance, these relationships functioned exactly as they should, and they were able to "work together to stop a serious threat to our community.”

As for Bowen, he was booked into the Pinal County Adult Detention Center, and his bond was set at $150,000. Charges of making a terrorist threat will be forwarded to the Pinal County Attorney’s Office for review, said the sheriff’s office.