Wahpeton, ND (trfnews.i234.me) – Two Wahpeton teenagers, James Michael Johnson and Tyler Cassidy Ryan, both 18, were arrested in Fargo on Thursday, April 10, 2025, following allegations of threatening a student with a handgun near Wahpeton High School.
According to the Wahpeton Police Department, officers responded to two separate reports around 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, concerning threats made by two males in the high school parking lot. In one incident, the suspects allegedly threatened a student during a video call, with one of them brandishing a black handgun. The student reported that after declining an invitation to hang out, one suspect threatened to shoot up her house and break her windows.
Investigators, in collaboration with Wahpeton Public Schools, identified Johnson and Ryan as the suspects. The Metro Area Street Crimes Unit located and arrested them in Fargo. Both are currently held in the Cass County Jail on felony terrorizing charges.
The Wahpeton Police Department emphasized the seriousness of the threats and the swift action taken to ensure student safety. They also acknowledged the assistance of the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments in the investigation and arrests.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not released further details about the incidents or any potential additional charges.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Did You Know?
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Wahpeton High School serves as the primary public high school in Wahpeton, North Dakota, and is part of the Wahpeton Public School District.
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The Metro Area Street Crimes Unit is a collaborative law enforcement task force operating in the Fargo-Moorhead area, focusing on reducing street-level crime.
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In North Dakota, a felony terrorizing charge can result in significant prison time, especially when involving threats with a deadly weapon.
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School safety protocols have been increasingly emphasized nationwide, with many districts implementing threat assessment teams to address potential dangers proactively.
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The collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies in this case highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in addressing threats to public safety.