HARVEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities in Harvey County are investigating a teen suspect for a social media threat against schools in Newton.

This was a high school student who was recently expelled from school, according to Lt. Scott Powell with Newton Police.

“He took a Snapchat picture of a gun and the statement ‘don’t attend school tomorrow,’” Powell said.

“The person who received the Snapchat photo took a screenshot of it, knew who sent it and notified school administration,” Powell said.

It was Friday and, with a home football game, officials were concerned.

Police immediately went to the suspect’s home. “He admitted sending the photo and said it was just a joke,” Powell said.

“We didn’t take it as a joke.”

Police also located the realistic looking BB gun from the photo.

The teen was arrested for criminal threat and the case has been turned over to the Harvey County Attorney.