WORTHINGTON - A Worthington teenager made his initial appearance in Nobles County District Court Wednesday in a criminal case charging him with threatening to shoot another teen and Worthington High School in general.
Sylias Kamm, 16, denied the accusation set forth in the felony terroristic threats charge. As of Friday, a July 3 court trial was scheduled.
Independent School District 518 has declined to comment on Kamm’s enrollment status - or any disciplinary action being taken - citing district policy. However, in the courtroom Wednesday morning, it was reported that Kamm has been expelled. An action item calling for a resolution related to an expulsion of an unidentified student is on next week’s District 518 Board of Education meeting. It’s historically been the board’s practice to approve expulsions by a roll call vote without discussion or reference to the situation.
In accordance with Minnesota law, Kamm’s juvenile court proceeding is public because he is older than 16 and facing a felony-level charge.
According to the criminal complaint, a Worthington police officer was called March 28 to investigate reported threats of violence that Kamm had allegedly made to other students the previous day.
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Two students reporting the incidents told the officer that Kamm had told them he wanted to shoot another student. One of the students also claimed that Kamm told them he would let them know in advance when he planned to “shoot up the school” so they could be absent that day.
The complaint references that Kamm allegedly told another student he had access to guns.
In an interview with law enforcement, Kamm admitted that he wanted to beat up another student for repeatedly making fun of him. He also allegedly told the officer that if he met that student on the street, he would shoot him, the complaint continues.
Kamm reportedly admitted that he told another student he had access to a gun, but told the officer that wasn’t true. Likewise, he denied threatening to “shoot up” the school.
A brief statement issued by the school district said the police department and Worthington High School administration investigated the report, and that it was determined other students and staff were in no danger at any time due to the situation.
