HAMPTON, N.H. (AP) – A Winnacunnet High School student was accused of making violent threats against the school and was being held in jail without bail.

Jonathan Irish, 17, of Seabrook, who was to begin his senior year Wednesday, is charged with criminal threatening.

Court records say Irish told another teenager he was “going to bring guns to school, hide them in the woods and bathrooms and kill anyone he wanted.”

According to the arrest warrant, the other teen believed what she was being told and “feared for her life.”

District Court Judge Francis Frasier ordered Irish held without bail at the Rockingham County Jail, pending a psychiatric evaluation to help determine if he is a threat to himself or others.

Asked if he thought Irish is a threat to the community or himself, police Sgt. Jim Jiguere said, “That’s why he’s being held on no bail.”

Irish will appear next in court on Sept. 24.

Police did not disclose whether any weapon was found.

Irish’s mother would only acknowledge that her son was arrested.

Winnacunnet High School principal Ruth Leveille said a letter was sent to the parents of students Friday to tell them about the situation.

Ashley Stoddard of North Hampton, a 15-year-old Winnacunnet sophomore and a friend of Irish, said she was “very surprised” to learn of the arrest.

Stoddard said Irish looked “so scared” during his court appearance, and she called it “the saddest thing I ever saw.”

AP-ES-08-31-03 1553EDT

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