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Former student arrested after making threats on Snapchat against high school in Bethesda

The former high school student made threats against students from Walter Johnson High School located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda.
(Photo: Montgomery County Police)

BETHESDA, Md. -- A former student was arrested for making threats on Snapchat against Walter Johnson High School earlier this month, Montgomery County police said.

Police arrested 18-year-old Luis Amilcar Cabrera of Rockville and charged him with one count of threat of mass violence. He is currently being held without bond.

The former high school student made threats against students from Walter Johnson High School located at 6400 Rock Spring Drive in Bethesda.

Students told their School Resource Officer that Cabrera posted threatening comments on Snapchat. There was a photo of Cabrera holding an AR-15 rifle with loaded magazines which included the words, "school shooter."

Cabrera also posted, "I hate WJ" and "Ha, ha, I'm going to shoot up the school." The 18-year-old also stated in videos that he has an AR-15 and keeps it with him for protection at all times. He has also been seen holding a .40 caliber KelTek rifle, police added.

"I'm starting to get very nervous about this neighborhood," said Pat Bechera. "This is too close to home now."

Bachera has lived near the school since the 1980's and has three grandchildren. She said since she has lived in Bethesda she cannot remember anything like this has happened at a school.

"Hopefully this will get solved and the police will take care of this," added Bachera. "we do not know if somebody else will come up again."

The school sent out the following e-mail:

Good Morning Walter Johnson High School Community Members,

This letter is to inform our community of an incident and how it has been addressed. Last week our security staff and School Resource Officer (SRO) were notified that a former student was posting threats to the school and concerning images of himself on social media posing with weapons. Our SRO reported this activity to the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) who immediately began an investigation. Late yesterday I was notified that the former student, Luis Cabrera, was arrested by MCPD.

I commend those that came forward to alert our SRO of their concerns. Because of this decision our SRO was able to work with her colleagues to keep our school and community safe. I will continue to keep the community informed as more information is released.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Baker

Principal

Walter Johnson High School

301-803-7106

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