Bush 'not threatened'

2006-03-30 14:53

Florence - A 13-year-old boy who authorities originally said threatened President George W Bush actually made the threat against a school, not the president, said police.

Captain Linny Cloyd said on Tuesday that the teen was being investigated for making threats against Bush, the city of Florence and a school in e-mails sent to the mayor. Bush was scheduled to travel to nearby Cincinnati next week.

On Wednesday, Cloyd said the student did not make a direct threat against Bush, instead, the teen was charged with making a terrorist threat against the school. The teen had not been arrested.

Cloyd said the investigation began after Mayor Diane Whalen received an anonymous email containing the alleged threats. A second email was also sent to Whalen.

Computer found during search

Cloyd went to the teen's home on Monday night with agents from the FBI and Secret Service. He said the boy's parents consented to the search, during which a computer was seized.

He said that investigators didn't find anything to make them think he was planning to carry out the threats.

Cloyd said: "He is extremely well-versed in the history of President Bush. In talking with him, you can tell this is a hot-button topic with him."

Police said the first email was also sent to the White House, vice-president Dick Cheney and the Pentagon.

Bush was scheduled to be across the Ohio River on Monday to throw out the first pitch on opening day for the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.

- AP