Yesterday (August 20, 2023), The City of Grants Police Department was made aware of a shooting threat against the public schools in the local area. Upon reviewing the provided information, it was determined that a social media post from last school year was making its rounds on current social media platforms. Based on the information, the City of Grants Police Department began to plan a school-wide law enforcement presence for the week of August 21st through August 25th, 2023.
During the early morning hours of August 21st, 2023, the City of Grants Police Department was made aware of a video that had surfaced on social media, which depicted several subjects making a school shooting threat. Upon receiving the information, the City of Grants Police Department began to look into the matter, which included following up with staff at Grant Cibola County Schools to possibly identify the subjects in the social media video.
Based on information acquired from the investigation, Officers with the City of Grants Police Department conducted a follow up at an address in the 300 block of Truman Avenue (Grants). While conducting the follow up, Officers made contact with three possible persons of interest, including one juvenile subject.
Based on the totality of the investigation, Mr. Andres Herrera (21 years of age) and Ms. Tessa Charlie (18 years of age) were eventually taken into custody and charged with the following: - Mr. Herrera was charged with one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (a 4th Degree Felony) and one count of Bomb Scares and Shooting Threats Unlawful (a Misdemeanor).
- Ms. Charlie was charged with one count of Conspiracy to Commit Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (a 4th Degree Felony) and one Count of Conspiracy to commit Bomb Scares and Shooting Threats Unlawful (a misdemeanor).
Additionally, one firearm (which was used in the aforementioned social media post) was recovered from the scene.
Lastly, the City of Grants Police Department would like to remind the public that we take any and all threats against school shootings very seriously. Even with the arrests of Mr. Herrera and Ms. Charlie, the City of Grants Police Department will continue to increase it’s presence at all local schools and we encourage everyone and anyone to report any suspicious persons or activity near school buildings.