A 15-year-old boy was arrested in Idaho on Wednesday for threatening to bring guns to his school, local police said.

The teenager – whose name was not released – was a pupil at Highland high school in Pocatello, Idaho. On Wednesday, he sent messages threatening to bring guns to the school on Friday, in order to “kill all the girls”.

According to the messages, the threats were made because the boy had been unable to obtain nude photos of female classmates.

The arrest came less than a week after nine students were killed and 10 injured in a shooting at a community college in Oregon.

The teen was charged with two counts of telephone harassment and one count of threatening violence on school grounds. He could face six months in jail for each of the counts, according to Bannock County prosecutor Steve Herzog.

On Wednesday, prior to the arrest, school officials restricted access to the campus. School resumed as normal on Thursday.

“Every threat is taken very seriously and measures such as controlled access are implemented to keep students safe,” Pocatello police said in a statement on Wednesday night.

“The controlled access has been cleared and Highland will have a normal school day tomorrow. Counsellors are available at the school for students who may need additional emotional support.”

The investigation began on 29 September, when students first informed the school of the disturbing messages they had received, according to Dianne Brush, Pocatello police department spokeswoman.

Brush commended the students for coming forward. She also said that after the 1 October shooting in Roseburg, Oregon, which left nine dead and nine wounded, the officers take all threats seriously.