Teen denied bail after school threat

DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WPRI) - A 17-year-old from New Bedford was denied bail for charges he threatened to shoot people at Dartmouth High School.

Court records said Sean DeAlmeida had just broken up with his girlfriend, and made the threats in instant messages to a friend of his girlfriend back on March 1 . He also reportedly said that after he shot people who he felt "deserved to die" -- he'd shoot himself.

The friend told police about the online conversation the next day.

DeAlmeida's charges include threats to commit murder and threats causing evacuation or disruption of a school.

Defense attorneys told the New Bedford Standard-Times the boy was never going to carry out the threat. They said he didn't even have access to guns.

But a judge agreed with prosecutors Thursday, saying there was no way to make sure the community was safe other than to arrest him.

Court records said DeAlmeida was upset over the breakup, but a psychiatric evaluation showed he was not suicidal or homicidal.