LAS VEGAS (AP) — Police arrested two students and increased patrols at a large Las Vegas high school during an investigation of racially specific internet posts calling for violence to "cleanse the hallways" of the campus, authorities said Wednesday.
The boys, 15 and 16, were arrested Tuesday after parents notified authorities of Instagram posts made during the weekend, Clark County school police Sgt. Bryan Zink said.
The teens were in juvenile custody pending court appearances on charges of making terrorist threats, conspiracy, cyberbullying, hate crimes and breaching the peace at Arbor View High School, Zink said.
Their names were not made public because of their ages.
Zink said the case was still being investigated. No threats were reported at other campuses.
Officials said the Instagram account containing the messages was deleted after several posts, including one with a photo of black students and a caption saying, "Looking at my high school I realized I need to cleanse the hallways."
"We must act now," it said.
Another post referred to the Columbine High School massacre in Colorado in 1999.
District Superintendent Jesus Jara told reporters the case will be prosecuted fully.
"We do take these threats seriously and have additional measures and personnel in place at this time," school Principal Kevin McPartlin said.
Arbor View, in northwest Las Vegas has about 3,000 students. It's one of the largest high schools in a sprawling district with 360 schools and 320,000 students.
The district reports an ethnic distribution of 46 percent Hispanic and Latino, about 24 percent Caucasian and 14 percent black.