WASHINGTON — Federal authorities arrested a young person on Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C., who had threatened violence toward a school, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed during Thursday’s press briefing.
Following the briefing, a White House official shared data with The Daily Wire that clarified the juvenile was arrested in Ward 7 for threats to kidnap and injure, as well as receiving stolen property, possession of a large capacity feeding device, and unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.
Authorities executed a search warrant and recovered 7 firearms from this juvenile, who was arrested “after an investigation was initiated based on social media posts allegedly threatening violence toward a school.”
Leavitt shared the news of the arrest after being asked by Iris Tao, a White House reporter for New Tang Dynasty Television, about American parents who might be concerned for their children’s safety after the Minneapolis shooting, which took place Wednesday morning around 8:30 a.m., when a transgender-identifying man named Robert Westman fired through the windows of the Annunciation Catholic School’s church in Minneapolis as students attended daily mass on their first day of school.
He killed two children, ages 8 and 10, injuring 17 others before he shot himself in the parking lot.
Watch: I asked @PressSec about parents’ concerns for kids’ safety after MN school shooting.
She tells me a DC juvenile was arrested last night after a probe into posts threatening school violence. 7 guns were seized.
“As a parent myself, there are no words to describe the… pic.twitter.com/UhaSMhg9jm
— Iris Tao (@IrisTaoTV) August 28, 2025
“We completely and totally understand the concerns of parents across the country,” Leavitt responded. “This tragedy is heartbreaking, as a parent myself, there are no words to describe just the heartbreak that these families must be enduring, which is why the president and the first lady have encouraged everyone to continue to pray for these families and these victims and it’s why this administration is focused on removing public safety threats from our communities.”
“This was a juvenile who was a risk to not just himself but the community here in Washington and he was removed from the community last night because of the law enforcement efforts of this administration,” Leavitt said.
WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 24: U.S. Capitol Police, Washington DC Metro Police and U.S. Border Patrol arrest two men who were allegedly fighting with one possessing a gun outside Union Station on August 24, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)
The press secretary also pointed to the statement that First Lady Melania Trump put out on Wednesday, saying that the “tragic mass killing in Minnesota illuminates the need for preemptive intervention in identifying school shooters. Early warning signs are often evident with many individuals exhibiting concerning behaviors and making violent threats online prior to their actions.”
“We encourage all Americans, as the old saying goes, if you see something, say something,” Leavitt emphasized. “If you see warning signs or threats reported to law enforcement, this administration, federal law enforcement will take those reports and threats seriously. They will be treated as a law-enforcement emergency and we will act accordingly.”
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The arrest of the juvenile Wednesday night in D.C. was one of 105 arrests that night, including 32 illegal aliens. That brings the total arrests in Washington, D.C., to 1,283 since August 7 when President Donald Trump’s enforcement efforts began.
Authorities arrested a known Sur-13 gang member on Wednesday evening, and many of the other illegal aliens arrested had prior criminal histories for assault, battery on a family member, driving under the influence, fleeing detention and injuring officers upon recapture.
Other Wednesday night arrests were for assault on a federal officer, assault with attempt to rob, possession with the intent to distribute, theft, carrying a pistol without a license, domestic violence, assault with a dangerous weapon, and more.
Authorities also located a missing child and turned that child over to local authorities, the White House official shared with The Daily Wire.
