Teen Arrested After Bomb Threat at Wade Hampton High School

Teen in handcuffs outdoors.

Teen Arrested After Bomb Threat at Wade Hampton High School

GREENVILLE — On the first day of classes, Wade Hampton High School experienced a bomb threat leading to an urgent police search and the arrest of a 15-year-old girl. This incident occurred early on August 8, just hours before hundreds of students were set to begin the new school year.

Authorities, who were alerted at around 12:53 a.m., did not find any explosives after a thorough search of the school premises. The investigation linked the threat to a female student, who was subsequently taken into custody and sent to juvenile detention in Columbia. The girl’s identity remains confidential due to her age.

The threat was not a one-time event; it had previously been made twice—once on August 5 and again on August 7. Ryan Flood, a spokesperson for the Greenville County Sheriff’s Department, stated, “It is just your typical shenanigans that had no validity,” but emphasized that such threats have serious consequences.

As a precautionary measure, the school adopted additional security measures, including portable weapons detection systems. Principal Carlos Grant notified parents via recorded messages at 8 a.m., reassuring them that the school was safe and classes would proceed as scheduled.

“I appreciate law enforcement and the district’s assistance to resolve the matter quickly so we can move forward with the first day of school,” Grant remarked in his communication.

Flood highlighted that the arrested student had a history of issues at school, stating that law enforcement had been investigating the situation for several days before the arrest. He noted that threats like these are somewhat common at the start of the school year, but they disrupt the peace and safety that schools strive to maintain.

Moving forward, the school will consider disciplinary action, which may include recommending the girl for expulsion from the school. The community and school officials remain relieved that the situation was resolved without incident.