Sheriff: 2 Pinal County cheerleaders post 'hit list' online - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

Sheriff: 2 Pinal County cheerleaders post 'hit list' online

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FLORENCE, AZ (CBS5) -

Two Pinal County cheerleaders are under investigation by the sheriff's office after a "hit list" they created was posted online.

The cheerleaders, an eighth-grade student at Walker Butte K-8 school and a sophomore at Poston Butte High School, placed the list on the social media site Instagram with an icon of a pistol next to the words "hit list."

A Pinal County Sheriff's spokesman said the girls told deputies they created the list to name people they didn't like, but didn't intend on harming any of them. The list contained names of students and a teacher, the spokesman said.

The Florence Unified School District was notified about the list by a parent of one of the students on the list. The district then notified the sheriff's office about 6 a.m. Wednesday, the spokesman said.

Deputies were continuing their investigation to determine whether to submit the case to the Pinal County Attorney's Office for charges of threatening and intimidating, the spokesman said.

There was no word on whether the girls were still at their respective schools Wednesday.

"With recent school shootings across the country, all possible threats of violence at schools are taken seriously by law enforcement," Sheriff Paul Babeu said. "Parents are encouraged to talk with their children and explain the seriousness of making such threats whether they are meant as a joke or not."

No other information was immediately available.

Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.

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