INFORMATION RELEASE

On 03/31/2023, at about 6:45 a.m., the Juneau Police Department received a report from a business in the 600 block of Willoughby Ave, regarding a note being found in the store that indicated a possible general threat against children.

JPD responded to the business and began investigating the threat. Although the note did not relay a specific threat, JPD notified the Juneau School District about the issue.

At about 12:15 p.m., JPD received a second report regarding a similar incident. A note was found on a bulletin board at the State Office Building. The note was turned in to building security, who notified JPD.

The Juneau School District and JPD are working closely while this investigation is underway. Prior to these reports, a plan for additional police presence had been implemented at the schools due to national rallies/attention to recent school violence incidents. Officers are actively working to investigate the situation.

If you see or hear something, please say something. It is important to share information in order to protect our community and promote school safety. Anyone with information regarding these notes is encouraged to contact JPD on our business line at (907) 586-0600. Anonymous tips can be made at www.Juneaucrimeline.com.

*** Updated 04/02/2023 at 9:55 p.m. ***

On 04/02/2023, at about 9:23 a.m., JPD received a report of two similar notes being found at a business in the 5200 block of Commercial Blvd. Responding officers were able to identify a man who was believed to be involved in passing the notes, 47-year-old Juneau resident Mitchell Thomas Watley.

At about 7:00 p.m., JPD, located Watley at a residence on 6th Street.  During the investigation, which involved assistance from the FBI, Watley was placed under arrest for one count of Terroristic Threatening in the 2nd degree, a class C felony offense. Watley was taken to the Lemon Creek Correctional Center.

This investigation is ongoing.