Greenville, S.C. – Students Charged in Recent School Threats
Multiple school districts in Upstate South Carolina are dealing with a series of school threats that have escalated in the wake of a recent shooting incident in Winder, Georgia. Many of the students charged for these threats are as young as 12 years old, raising concerns among parents and officials alike.
Growing Concerns Following Threats
On September 10, Greenville County Schools received reports of a potential threat at Greer High School due to a social media post. Authorities determined there was no credible threat. However, a 13-year-old student from Greer Middle School was charged after making a verbal threat about a shooting. The student was subsequently removed from the school and disciplined according to school district regulations. As a precaution, a weapons detection system was on site, but nothing unusual was found.
Other Districts Respond
Moving to another Greenville County school, Hillcrest Middle School announced it was aware of a potential threat shared on social media. An investigation revealed the threat was not credible, but there was an increased law enforcement presence as an additional precaution.
On September 11, another 13-year-old student from Blue Ridge Middle School faced charges after making alarming statements in a group chat, indicating intentions to bring a gun to school. Law enforcement didn’t find any weapons on the student.
A Countywide Issue
In Anderson County, law enforcement also investigated threats related to T.L. Hanna High School but found no credible danger. A joint statement from school districts emphasized the seriousness of hoax threats circulating online and how it could lead to panic.
Other Districts Take Action
Across Pickens County, a suspicious social media post initially thought to concern Pickens High School was dismissed as referring to a different school in another state. Additionally, Laurens County noted that multiple threats had also circulated recently, with a 12-year-old charged for an online threat.
Meanwhile, in Oconee County, authorities confirmed a 13-year-old was charged with making threats against Walhalla Middle School, following investigations led by a school resource officer.
The Importance of Reporting
All involved school districts are urging parents and students to report any potential threats immediately to both the school and local authorities. They highlighted that sharing unverified information can lead to widespread panic and unnecessary stress.
In summary, the recent wave of threats from students has caught the attention of school officials and law enforcement. Authorities are taking steps to ensure the safety of students and staff while encouraging a culture of open communication about threats and safety concerns.
