Georgia schools face threats, student arrests after Apalachee shooting
ATLANTA - The Apalachee High School shooting, which claimed the lives of two teachers and two students, has left many on edge across the state of Georgia. Law enforcement and school officials have been dealing with multiple incidents which have further stoked fears of more violence.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents say 14-year-old Colt Gray acted alone when he opened fire, killing Richard Aspinwall and Christina Irimie, both math teachers, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14 years old. Nine others were injured in the gunfire, according to the GBI.
Since the shooting, multiple school districts across Georgia have reported alleged threats to schools - leading to cancelations, soft lockdowns, and investigations. At least a dozen people have been charged in connection with the threats.
Whether the shooting has given a permission structure to other troubled youth, or it has cast a large spotlight on the issue, multiple arrests were made on Thursday and several school districts have either stepped up security or made it more visible.
"I know of students and parents here in this county and around the state are afraid. You all have likely seen reports of incidents of other students making threats at various schools around our state. In each of these incidents, police, law enforcement took charges, they made arrests, acted very swiftly, as we take incidents like this very seriously across this state," director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Chris Hosey, said during a press conference Thursday evening.
Hosey asks students and guardians to remain vigilant, report any safety concerns to staff or police, and seek help if needed.
Later 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.
This image was released in a joint statement from the FBI and GBI discussing recent social media threats following the deadly Apalachee High School shooting in Winder. (Supplied)
Police seize gun, arrest Henry County middle school student
A Woodland Middle School student was intercepted with a gun before getting onto campus, the Henry County Police Department.
Police say school resource officers and school staff were tipped off to the student’s intent. At 8:40 a.m., before the student got into the school building, police said the student was taken into custody.
The child was charged with possession of pistol/revolver by person under 18 years of age and carrying weapon in school safety zone.
DeKalb County Schools tells parents to check kids' backpacks
A 14-year-old was arrested, and a 12-year-old was issued a summons for threats made in the DeKalb County School District.
In a letter to parents released Friday, superintendent Dr. Devon Horton wrote:
"Unfortunately, some have taken advantage of this grief to spread fear through threatening social media posts targeting several schools in DeKalb County and across metro Atlanta. While we have received numerous reports of threatening social media posts, no credible threats have been found against any DCSD schools. Despite this, we take every threat seriously, and investigations are ongoing with support from the FBI, GBI, and local law enforcement."
The superintendent is urging guardians to check their children’s bookbags, review their social media habits, and talk to their kids about how making threats, even in jest, is unacceptable.
Forsyth County students charged with terroristic threats
Two Forsyth County students are facing charges after deputies say they posted threats after the Winder school shooting.
On Wednesday, deputies spoke with a 15-year-old student about a possible threat to Pinecrest Academy.
The student reportedly admitted to posting the threat online stating "it was a joke and he thought it was funny," the sheriff's office said. He was charged with terroristic threats.
The next day, the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers and Criminal Investigation Division detectives investigated a dozen separate reports of threats to the schools around the county. While none of the threats were deemed credible, a 14-year-old from Desana Middle School was taken into custody and charged with terroristic threats and disruption of schools.
Both students appeared in court on Friday morning and will remain in custody until their next hearing.
"We take each and every threat to one of our schools as real and investigate them exhaustively. It is maddening that threats like these, hoax or not, follow a horrific event like the one in Barrow County earlier this week. Parents, please talk with your kids and explain that mentioning shooting up a school is no joke and I will put them in jail if they do it," said Sheriff Freeman, "I also want to thank our community for staying vigilant and alerting law enforcement when they see something suspicious. I can assure you, safety in our schools is our number one priority and we will do everything we can to find those spreading fear in our students. "
Five Jackson County students arrested for threats
A 15-year-old in Jackson County was arrested on September 4 for making threats to carry out another school shooting.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the teen told other students he "was planning on finishing the job to shoot another school." The comments were made just hours after the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.
SEE ALSO: Apalachee High School shooting | What we know about the suspected shooter
No one was injured, and it was not immediately clear if the teen had access to any weapons.
The juvenile was booked into the Youth Detention Center in Gainesville. The charges have not been released.
The Jackson County Sheriff's Office says they were notified of another possible threat on September 6 made by a 12-year-old student at East Jackson Middle School.
Investigators went to the student's home to interview him. He was arrested and booked at the Jackson County Jail before being transported to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center. He has been charged with Terroristic Threats and Public Disruption of School, according to the Sheriff's Office. The boy's name was not released.
On Monday, another 12-year-old was removed from class after Legacy Knoll Middle School administrators learned of a threat the student reportedly made. The nature of that threat has not been publicly released.
The pre-teen was taken to juvenile court where he or she was detained by the judge.
"As the Sheriff, I would like to emphasize and urge all parents to talk to your students about the importance of their words and actions," Sheriff Janis G. Mangum said. "When these threats are made and there is evidence to support the threat, charges will be taken. There are severe consequences for any student making these threats."
A fifth grade student at Gum Springs Elementary School is under investigation after allegedly making "inappropriate and threatening remarks to fellow students about the school" on Tuesday.
Investigators are interviewing the student and his or her parent. Legal action may be taken.
Newton County teen charged with threatening students
Newton County deputies arrested a 13-year-old boy after officials say he threatened students and staff at Eastside High School.
The student, whose identity has not been released, is facing a charge of terroristic threats and acts and is being held by the Juvenile Court System.
In a statement on Facebook, Sheriff Ezell Brown said that any threats or acts of violence will not be tolerated, and those who have been found responsible for the threats "will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Monroe County man arrested over social media post
A Monroe County man is being held without bond on charges that he threatened one of the county's schools on social media.
Officials say they began investigating a possible school threat posted on social media sites on Thursday.
During their investigation, deputies arrested 26-year-old Chris Cooper on charges of dissemination of information related to terroristic threats. He was also served with a temporary protective order.
While officials do not believe the threat was credible, additional deputies were sent to all Monroe County school campuses on Friday.
Cartersville Middle School receives threat
At approximately 9:50 a.m. Friday, the Cartersville Middle School received an anonymous call that an unknown male was on his way to the school with a firearm. A soft lockdown of all schools in the district was ordered while the Cartersville Police Department began an extensive search of the school and grounds. Once the investigators determined no threat existed, the soft lockdown was lifted. At this time, there is no evidence that the threat was anything more than a hoax.
Threats in Fulton County
The Alpharetta Department of Public Safety says they became aware of a social media posts that began circulating overnight regarding multiple schools in Fulton County, including Alpharetta. Alpharetta police say they are working with school police and are taking proactive measures to make sure all students are safe. Additional officers have been sent to Alpharetta schools.
Gwinnett County students arrested for making online threats
Officials with Georgia’s largest school district say two students have been arrested in connection with online threats following Wednesday's shooting.
"In the wake of yesterday's tragic event in Barrow County, we have received numerous emails and calls from concerned parents worried about threats against our schools circulating on social media," Gwinnett County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Calvin J. Watts wrote on Thursday.
Dr. Watts outlined the security measures already in place, including having 115 school resource officers, using the Centegix Crisis Alert system, having more than 11,000 security cameras, and security vestibules with the Raptor system, which allows selective access and screening. In addition, the school district is actively working with law enforcement on the local, state, and federal levels to address threats.
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."
Dr. Wood said the student admitted to making online threats.
"Making a threat against any school is a very serious matter that is a violation of our student conduct code and is against the law," Dr. Wood continued. "The student who created and shared the post will face criminal charges and maximum school disciplinary consequences for their behavior."
Dr. Wood added that making threats will not be tolerated and will be taken seriously. He said any student who makes that type of threat not only faces school disciplinary action but also legal action and potentially jail time.
"Please talk to your student about the importance of thinking long and hard about what they post," Dr. Wood wrote.
On Friday, Gwinnett County officials said another student had been arrested for threats against schools. They have released the identities of anyone involved.
Threat investigations in Pickens County and Rockdale County
According to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, they received information about an alleged threat on Friday morning. However, PCSO says the threat was not credible and not directed at their schools. The sheriff's office also said that it has added additional deputies and resource to each of the schools in the county as a result of the incident in Barrow County.
The Conyers Police Department says they have also received information about threats that are circulating on social media that reportedly mention a couple of Rockdale County schools. CPD says that although the schools are not located in Conyers, they have decided to increase police presence near C.J. Hicks Elementary and Rockdale County High School as a precaution.
Oconee County threats investigated
The Oconee County Sheriff's Office was alerted by Oconee County school administrators around 9:25 a.m. Friday about a MBES student making threats of potential school violence. The student was immediately isolated and interviewed and it was determined there no credible threats and no danger to students or staff. The juvenile was detained and handed over to the Department of Juvenile Justice without incident.
Rome teen accused of making threats, prompting lockdown
Nathaniel Porter Kozelle, 17, of Rome, was booked into the Floyd County Jail on charges of terroristic threats and acts, and disrupting the operation of a public school, school bus, or school bus stop.
According to Rome City Schools, all facilities were placed on lockdown after the threats were discovered.
The Rome Police Department and school resource officers were able to track Kozelle down at his home.
Hall County teens arrested for social media threats
Hall County authorities have arrested a 17-year-old named Jaymon Alan Justice and provided additional details about a younger teen arrested earlier in the week.
Jaymon Alan Justice, 17, of Flowery Branch, was arrested Thursday night at his home. He has been charged as an adult with terroristic threats and acts, as well as disruption or interference with the operation of public schools, both misdemeanor offenses. Investigators say they discovered that Justice had edited a social media post referencing a threat at a school outside of Hall County, tagged Cherokee Bluff High School, and shared the post on Snapchat.
Justice was taken to the Hall County Jail and given a $2,600 bond.
Jaymon Alan Justice (Hall County Sheriff's Office)
A second suspect, originally reported as 14, is a 13-year-old male who was charged as a juvenile. According to investigators, the teen shared an Instagram message threatening violence at Johnson High School and South Hall Middle School. He was taken into custody without incident at his home and transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Gainesville. He faces juvenile charges of terroristic threats and acts, as well as disruption or interference with the operation of public schools.
On Friday, the sheriff's office reported a third student was arrested for felony terroristic threats and disruption of a public school. It happened at 10:30 a.m. World Academy Middle School. According to investigators, a 13-year-old boy made threats in front of his classmates stating he "was going to be the next school shooter" and had a "mag" in his backpack. No weapon was found. The student, whose name has not been released due to his age, was taken into custody and transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville.
The Hall County Sheriff's Office has been inundated with reports from concerned citizens about online posts threatening violence at multiple schools following the Barrow County shooting.
READ MORE: Hall County student arrested for making threats on social media
South Georgia teen arrested for bringing handgun on campus
The Thomasville Police Department says officers have taken a student into custody after bringing a handgun onto the MacIntyre Park Middle School campus.
According to Thomasville City Schools, school staff were notified about the weapon and acted swiftly. The principal, along with the school resource officer and additional local law enforcement officers were able to take the juvenile into custody without further incident.
There were no reports of threats being made and no one was injured.
It is unclear what charges the student is facing.
The school district credits the "See something, Say something" principle for helping to keep the students safe.
Brooks County middle schooler charged for threatening a school shooting
In neighboring Brooks County, a middle school student there was charged on Friday with making terrorist threats.
According to the GBI, the 13-year-old Brooks County Middle School student made threats via text messages on the internal system to shoot up the school. He told investigators he did it as a prank.
Investigators say the boy had been on virtual learning and had not been on campus.
He was booked into the Regional Youth Detention Center.
Athens boy charged after alleged social media threats
In Clarke County, officials say they have detained a 12-year-old boy accused of threatening multiple schools in the county.
Officials say on Thursday, investigators began receiving calls about threatening posts on social media showing images of firearms and the names of Clarke County schools.
After identifying the account, authorities say they found the 12-year-old Athens resident and charged him with terroristic threats.
Officials say the boy did not possess any weapons.
Oconee County students detained over threats
On Thursday, deputies detained two students who they say made potential threats of violence towards schools in the area.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office says they were alerted to two Oconee County Middle School students who had made threats.
After interviewing the students, officials determined there was no danger and detained both juveniles.
"We want to reassure the community that there is no active threat to the school’s students or staff," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook.