Greenville, S.C. – Concerns Over School Threats Prompt Responses from Local Districts
In recent days, school districts across Upstate South Carolina have been dealing with a series of threats made by students, some as young as 12. This wave of incidents began shortly after a tragic school shooting in Winder, Georgia, raising heightened concerns among educators and parents.
Greenville County Responds
Greenville County Schools reported a social media post suggesting a potential threat at Greer High School. However, after investigation, authorities found no credible threat linked to the school. The claim originated from a statement made by a student at Greer Middle School. A 13-year-old student was charged for making a verbal threat regarding a shooting at the school, prompting disciplinary actions under the district’s behavior code. To ensure safety, the EVOLV weapons detection system was implemented on campus, revealing no concerning findings.
Other Districts on Alert
Concerns were echoed in other districts as well. At Hillcrest Middle School, the principal acknowledged another social media post that suggested a threat. After a thorough investigation, it was confirmed that this threat was also not credible. Additional law enforcement presence was arranged to reassure students and parents.
Meanwhile, Anderson District 5 reported a circulating threat related to T.L. Hanna, but law enforcement stated that no valid threat was present. Similarly, the School District of Pickens County clarified that a suspicious post referencing Pickens High School was mistakenly related to another location outside South Carolina.
Ongoing Investigations
In Laurens County, online threats made by students at both Gray Court-Owings School and Laurens Middle School prompted investigations. A 12-year-old was charged for making threats related to Laurens Middle School, although no weapons were found. Laurens Police Chief Heath Copeland emphasized the serious nature of such threats and the zero-tolerance stance taken by law enforcement.
Community Message
The School District of Oconee County addressed a false rumor regarding a threat to Walhalla High School, confirming that there was no credible evidence. The district reminded students of the importance of reporting actual threats immediately.
As districts continue to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, local authorities stress that sharing unverified information can lead to unnecessary panic. Parents and guardians are encouraged to reinforce communication and awareness in identifying potential threats.
