WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — A West Des Moines man is behind bars after threatening violence at a nearby school, just hours after six people were shot in a Perry, Iowa high school.
Police say 18-year-old Lakeeve Arlley Fort of West Des Moines made social media comments that threatened one of West Des Moines' schools, leading police, alongside the FBI, to locate the suspect and arrest him around 6:45 p.m. on Thursday.
Fort, a current Dowling Catholic student, allegedly posted on Snapchat that he was going to "shoot up a school".
Fort is charged with a count of Threat of Terrorism, which is a Class D Felony in Iowa.
The threats came within hours of a 17-year-old killing one sixth grader and injuring five others before turning the gun on himself at Perry High School.
"Since this horrific event transpired, there have been reports of comments circulating both in person and online, in support of the suspect who carried out this violent act," the release reads.
The West Des Moines Police Department gave condolences to the community of Perry, and shared a message about threatening comments or videos on social media:
"The West Des Moines Police Department would like to take this opportunity to remind anyone who engages in or considers making threatening comments of violence towards others in any fashion, will be held legally accountable for such actions. Keeping our community safe and secure is our top priority. We will work tirelessly to make sure our schools, businesses, and neighborhoods are protected from such threats and violent actions. The West Des Moines Police Department will have no tolerance for these kinds of threats or actions in our community."
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