A middle school student in Morgan Hill was arrested this week after allegedly bullying two classmates both online and in person, a police sergeant said.
Two 13-year old Britton Middle School students told police this week that the classmate was bullying them online as well as at school and at their Morgan Hill home.
Investigators learned that "the victims had been threatened and assaulted at their residence," Morgan Hill police Sgt. Troy Hoefling said in a statement.
An on-campus police officer contacted the suspect and victims at school and advised the suspect that his bullying behavior would not be tolerated and that he was prohibited from contacting the victims, Hoefling said.
Police said the boy told the officer that he understood, but later that day, he allegedly threatened one of the victims after school at a local skate park and followed up with intimidating text messages and Facebook posts.
The on-campus officer then re-contacted the involved students and their parents and cited the suspect on suspicion of battery, making harassing phone calls, disturbing the peace with offensive words likely to provoke an immediate violent reaction and violating city law when he allegedly discharged a replica firearm.
Morgan Hill police and Morgan Hill Unified School District officials have pledged to work together to stop bullying, whether in person or via electronic means.
"The outcome of this case exemplifies that the Morgan Hill police Department recognized the immediate long-term damage caused by bullying and will not tolerate this behavior," police Chief David Swing said in a statement.
"I am proud of the swift and decisive actions of our staff that put an end to the students' victimization."
Britton Middle School Principal Glen Webb said this case should serve as proof that any type of bullying "can result in students facing both criminal and school consequences."
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