Greenville Students Face Charges Over School Threats
Greenville, SC — Recent school threats in Upstate South Carolina have raised alarms as four students aged between 12 and 14 have been charged with making verbal threats against their schools. These incidents occurred following a tragic shooting at a high school in Georgia, prompting many districts to be on high alert.
In the days leading up to September 10, principals from 13 schools in Greenville County alerted parents about rumors of threats. Law enforcement conducted investigations, but they found that none of these threats were credible. Meanwhile, in Oconee County, three possible threats were looked into, and one of those resulted in a student facing charges.
Under South Carolina law, it’s illegal for students to make any threats to kill or harm another person, regardless of whether the threat was intended seriously or jokingly. For instance, a 13-year-old in Greer was charged after he allegedly said in class that he would shoot up the school.
“Whether someone is joking or not, if they are found to have made a threat against a school, then they can be charged,” noted a spokesman from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office. Officials are emphasizing the serious nature of such remarks, which can create widespread fear and prompt police investigations.
Many recent threats have spread through social media, often causing panic among students and parents alike. One alarming post listed several schools and warned of impending shootings. This type of content can escalate fears, especially when shared widely without proper reporting channels.
“When students or adults repost messages on social media and don’t report them through the right channels, it creates extra safety problems,” mentioned a statement from the Greenville County School District.
Officials across the Upstate continue to take these threats seriously and have assured the community that safety remains their top priority.
As these situations unfold, school districts are reinforcing to students and parents that joking about school violence is taken seriously and can lead to severe consequences, including criminal charges.
