Phoenix Police detectives have made an arrest after investigating multiple threats that were done by the same man.
On February 21, 2025, Phoenix Police Officers responded a threat call at a valley hotel. Employees at the business had received several emails, all making threats to commit a mass shooting at the business. Officers at the original call for service secured the hotel and ensured that there was not an immediate threat. Follow up information was forwarded to detectives for additional investigation.
On February 24, 2025, Phoenix Police Officers responded to a valley elementary school regarding a threat made to a staff member regarding a mass shooting at the school. Several officers arrived and the school was placed into lockdown. The school was deemed safe after a systematic search of the campus after which detectives began this investigation. This investigation progressed quickly, and the suspect was identified as 24-year-old Alex Neriz. The previous threat made on February 21, 2025 was also connected to Neriz.
Detectives found that Neriz was in custody with Tempe Police regarding a separate threats investigation that they were conducting. During the interview with Neriz, he admitted to making threats related to the two Phoenix investigations.
On February 26, 2025, Neriz was officially booked on charges stemming from the Phoenix cases, to include multiple counts of making terrorist threats.