ATTLEBORO - A 16-year-old Attleboro High School junior faces charges in connection with a written threat scrawled on a bathroom wall at the school that triggered a massive response by school staff, police and firefighters on Wednesday.

Police Capt. David Proia said the 16-year-old boy is being charged with destruction of school property and making threats in connection with the writing, which was found by school security officers Wednesday morning.

The nature of the threat has not been specified and the identity of the student, who is a juvenile, was not disclosed.

The boy was arrested following a lengthy meeting with Principal Don Frederick, who said other students came forward with information about the incident.

The arrest in the case was announced to students prior to the closing of school Thursday. "There's a great feeling of relief," said Frederick who said a heightened police presence at the school will continue for the time being.

The juvenile will face school discipline as well as criminal charges, the principal said.

Proia said the teenager was released to his parents pending formal charges in Juvenile Court. He said police will continue to take a hard line against such behavior.

"We take any threat seriously," he said.