Arrest made regarding threat to Noblesville East Middle School

Classes at all Noblesville Schools on Tuesday were canceled after threats toward Noblesville East Middle School (NEMS) were made on social media.

Early Tuesday morning, Superintendent Dr. Daniel Hile made the decision to cancel classes out of “an overabundance of caution.” It was not an e-learning day.

Discovering the threat

At approximately 1:34 a.m. Tuesday, the Indianapolis office of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) contacted the Noblesville Police Department (NPD) with information regarding a threat that was made on social media. The threat specifically targeted Noblesville East Middle School (NEMS) located at 1625 Field Drive.

NPD investigators immediately notified school officials and apprised them of the threat and the limited details that were available at the time. Classes were canceled for the day as investigators worked with the FBI to determine the source of the threat.

Early this afternoon, FBI investigators were able to locate crucial information pertaining to the case and identified a possible suspect. Investigators from the NPD petitioned for and were subsequently granted a search and arrest warrant for a residence in the 800 block of Noble Run in Noblesville. Investigators were able to locate the suspect and property believed to be evidence in the criminal investigation.

The suspect is a juvenile and a seventh-grade student at NEMS. The juvenile was taken into custody by NPD investigators and transported to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center on a preliminary charge of Intimidation* (I.C. 35-45-2-1) a Level 6 Felony.

NPD thanks the FBI for their expertise and communication throughout this investigation. Their assistance was instrumental in locating the alleged suspect. NPD also thanks Noblesville Schools for its assistance.

*A preliminary charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant(s) is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.