A 16-year-old student at Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School has been charged after allegedly making threats against the school.

The student, a Nesquehoning resident who police did not identify because he is a juvenile, was arrested Thursday morning.

According to the Summit Hill Police Department, which covers Panther Valley Junior-Senior High School, the student made verbal threats and online posts on social media on Wednesday saying he would be the “next school shooter.”

He was taken into custody, charged with making terroristic threats and turned over to Carbon County Juvenile Probation, Summit Hill Police Sgt. Jeffrey Ohl said.

The school suspended the student as police investigated the incident, according to a letter sent out Thursday afternoon by Panther Valley Superintendent Dennis Kergick.

Kergick’s letter said Summit Hill and Nesquehoning Police also visited a home where the student is staying Wednesday night to see if there were any weapons in the home that the student could access.

Kergick urged parents to remind their children to report any postings or conversations that may suggest someone is making a threat toward their school. He also urged them to remind their children not to joke about acts of violence and terror, because they may be taken as threats.

His letter said, “Recent events in Parkland, Florida, have once again left a nation and community reeling in the wake of the deaths of 14 students and three staff members in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. I know that we all offer our condolences to the parents, families, and friends of those impacted by this senseless act of violence.”

Kergick told parents that Kevin O’Brien, school disciplinarian, “was notified by the Summit Hill Police about a report filed by a PVJSHS student and the student’s parent regarding a discussion in which a male student made a statement regarding gun violence. The initial report filed lacked some specifics and Mr. O’Brien immediately contacted both high school and district administration. Obviously, in a time of heightened awareness and security we all take any and all reports very seriously.”

Kergick added, “The male student will not be attending school until there is a thorough investigation completed and appropriate measures are taken to ensure the safety of all students and staff. After all of the information is collected a determination will be made about filing charges.

It is always the district emergency protocol to address school safety concerns and enlist the support of our local police departments. We are fortunate that our local police departments offer support and investigate such issues.”

He suggested that parents monitor their children’s social media accounts to see activity firsthand and clear up any problems.