Newton student in custody for gun threat made against a specific group

A student at Newton High School was taken into custody after making threats of violence toward a specific group and saying he would bring a gun to school the next day. The Newton Police Department said the statements were made while the teen was riding the bus, and he has since been charged with a felony.

The identity of the male juvenile has not been released by authorities or the school district since he is under the age of 18. Police have charged the student with threat of terrorism, which is a Class D felony. Officers were notified of the threats at 4:12 p.m. on Feb. 4, and they confirmed the statements were made.

When the juvenile was located, he was taken into custody without issue and transported to Central Iowa Detection in Eldora.

Newton Superintendent Tom Messinger released a statement today regarding the school threat. He said the situation is being dealt with in accordance with state law and school district policies; the threat was not carried out and no one was injured. Messinger thanked those who reported the incident.

“This is the level of support and cooperation which are necessary to maintain the highest level of safety and security for our entire school community,” he said. “I also would like to thank the Newton Police Department for their outstanding communication and their swift and thorough response to the situation.”

Messinger said the Newton community is fortunate to have support agencies so dedicated to the school district. He emphasized the importance of letting officials know if they see or hear anything out of the ordinary. All reports of threats will be taken seriously, he said, and the district will continue informing families.

Newton Community School District and the Newton Police Department have cracked down on threats made against students and staff. In September 2024, there were three separate incidents in which officers apprehended juveniles who made threats and charged them with threat of terrorism.

The first juvenile arrested in September allegedly made threats on social media, and he had access to firearms in his residence; the second teen was charged with for allegedly threatening a teacher; and the third teen threatened a school shooting and harming a student at their home.

In early January, the high school went into soft lockdown to investigate a threat which was later deemed noncredible.