Students charged with felonies for threats made after Georgia school shooting, police say
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - Police across metro Atlanta have made multiple arrests as part of investigations into school shooting hoaxes after the violence at Apalachee High School.
The shooting Wednesday morning in Winder has left the father and son behind bars, families planning funerals as law enforcement continues to investigate the case.
Fourteen-year-old Colt Gray stands charged with four counts of murder, accused of using a semiautomatic assault-style rifle to kill two students and two teachers this week at his high school. He had his first hearing Friday after being charged as an adult in the latest mass shooting at a school in the U.S.
Since the shooting, law enforcement agencies across the state have been investigating threats on social media that have led to school cancelations, soft lockdowns and enhanced security on campus.
More than a dozen people, mostly middle and high school students, have been arrested and charged in connection with the threats so far.
PREVIOUS STORY: Georgia schools face threats, student arrests after Apalachee shooting
On Friday afternoon, the GBI and FBI Atlanta issued a joint statement saying specific threats on social media will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. They are also reminding members of the community that sharing online threats can cause undue panic and spread false information. Additionally, they said that the "majority" of investigations into the threats posted online since the shooting at Apalachee High School have been deemed non-credible. However, threats should still be reported to local law enforcement immediately.
Gwinnett boy charged with felony
Gwinnett County police say they have arrested a boy responsible for one of the threats.
Gwinnett County police were alerted by the county's school resources officers about a threatening social media post aimed at a local school two days after the deadly violence in Barrow County.
After an investigation, Gwinnett County detectives discovered the owner of the account, who police have only identified as a "juvenile."
Detectives say they talked with the boy and learned that the threat was a hoax. He is now in custody at a metro Atlanta youth detention center on charges of felony terroristic threats.
In Gwinnett County, this is the third arrest in connection with threats on social media in Gwinnett County.
One of those threats was detailed in a letter sent home to parents from Meadowcreek High School Principal Dr. Kevin Wood. While a district spokesperson has not addressed the incident directly, the letter was shared with FOX 5 by concerned parents.
"Unfortunately, I am disappointed to share that the person arrested is a Meadowcreek High School student," Dr. Wood wrote. "Although police did not find a gun or weapon on the student, and there is no evidence that he meant to carry out the threat, I want to reassure you that we are taking this situation very seriously."
Details about the nature of the threats or the arrested individuals have not been released.
Troup teen charged with 11 counts for threats
A 15-year-old Troup County student is now in custody facing 11 felony charges for alleged threats to schools.
On Monday morning, the LaGrange Police Department says it received information about a threat "to shoot up 11 of our local schools within the Troup County School System."
The investigation led officials to the teen, who officials say was enrolled in the school system.
He's now facing 11 counts of terroristic threats through the Troup County Juvenile Court.
Newton County 12-year-old arrested
A 12-year-old Clements Middle School student was arrested on Friday after officials say he made multiple vocal threats toward students and staff.
He was taken to the Juvenile Court System and charged with terroristic threats and acts.
In a statement, Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown said that "any threats or acts of violence will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be held accountable."
"Let us take time and encourage our youth not to make threats and not to get themselves entangled with the law. Entanglement with the law can and will follow you throughout your adult life," Brown said. "I urge you please refrain from Facebook and focus on your textbook."
Conyers 17-year-old charged with dissemination of terroristic acts
Jarvis Murphy, a 17-year-old student at Rockdale County High School was identified as the source of a threat that caused C.J. Hicks Elementary and his high school to request an increased police presence last week.
Murphy allegedly made the threat online where it was circulated on several social media platforms. He was arrested and charged with the dissemination of terroristic acts.
Newton County 11-year-old charged with making terroristic threats, acts
The Newton County sheriff said he hopes his office won't have to arrest any more minor for making threats and a third child was taken into custody.
On Tuesday, an 11-year-old boy from Newton County STEAM Academy was arrested for making verbal threats toward students and staff on August 2 and September 5, the same day a gunman opened fire at Apalachee High School.
Sheriff Ezell Brown has called on all parents, students, faculty, community members, law enforcement and clergy to "come together and help the Newton County community put an end to these threats."
Three Hall County students charged with felonies
NORTH HALL MIDDLE SCHOOL
A 12-year-old girl reportedly threatened to shoot students and teachers at North Hall Middle School and High School as she rode the school bus Monday afternoon.
The seventh grader was charged as a juvenile with felony terroristic threats. She has since been released into the custody of her parents.
CHEROKEE BLUFF MIDDLE SCHOOL
An 11-year-old reportedly threatened his classmates verbally on Tuesday. The sixth grader at Cherokee Bluff Middle School allegedly told them he would bring a gun to "shoot up the school" so he wouldn't have to get up early to come to class.
He was charged as a juvenile with felony terroristic threats. He has since been released into the custody of his parents.
CHICOPEE WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
A 10-year-old student at Chicopee Woods Elementary School also allegedly made verbal threats that he would "shoot up the school" on Wednesday.
However, the District Attorney's Office opted out of pressing charges due to the boy's age.
CHESTATEE HIGH SCHOOL
School officials discovered a 14-year-old boy was carrying a knife with a four-inch blade at school while he was being searched on suspicion of drug possession.
Although the student had not threatened anyone with the knife, according to the school, he was taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville on a felony charge with possession of a weapon on school grounds. The school officials did not locate any drugs.