ATLANTA — Dozens of students are facing charges after making school threats across north Georgia in the wake of the shooting at Apalachee High School.
11Alive has received reports from numerous metro Atlanta police departments, sheriff's offices and school districts investigating school threats since the shooting. Investigators said they are pursuing each one seriously -- deeming several "threats" as hoaxes.
These are just a few of more than a dozen reports of school threats we've received:
Athens-Clarke County
- In Athens-Clarke County, the police department said on Thursday, Sept. 5, a 12-year-old was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats. Investigators said the 12-year-old posted threats on social media, including images of guns with the names of schools in the county. He was taken into custody by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Bartow County
- On Friday morning, Sept. 6, the Cartersville Police Department said Cartersville Middle School received an anonymous call at 9:50 a.m. about an unknown man on his way with a gun.
"As the Cartersville Police Department takes all threats seriously, especially those relating to the safety of our children, an investigation was launched, and a soft lockdown of all schools in the district was ordered," the police department said in a statement.
After an extensive search of the school, investigators determined that there was no threat and deemed it a hoax. The soft lockdown at Cartersville Middle School has been lifted.
"At this time, there is no evidence to corroborate that the threat was anything more than a hoax. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to contact the
Cartersville Police Department at 770-382-2526," police added.
Coweta County
- On Monday, Sept. 9, the Coweta County School System sent a letter to Coweta parents and employees about social media posts circulating regarding a list of "targeted" schools-- with some posts including the phrase "school shooting." The school system said these posts are hoaxes and "the list has been digitally manipulated in an attempt to cause panic," the school system wrote. Anyone with questions or concerns is urged to call their school's principal.
Fannin County
- After threats, Fannin County Schools moved to a virtual learning day on Monday, Sept. 9.
The threats were described as "nonspecific threat rumors" circulating on social media throughout the weekend.
Sheriff's Office investigators did not find the threats credible.
Floyd County
- Rome High School and Rome Middle School went into a "Code Yellow" lockdown on Monday, Sept. 9, "due to some information on social media," Rome Police said.
The school system said school instruction would continue.
Forsyth County
- In Forsyth County, the sheriff's office said a 15-year-old student was arrested after posting an online school threat.
"When asked about the threat, the student admitted to the post and stated it was a joke and he thought it was funny. The student was arrested and charged with Terroristic Threats," the sheriff's office added in a social media post.
On Thursday, Sept. 5, a 14-year-old boy from Desana Middle School was also taken into custody and charged with terroristic threats and disruption of schools.
"The child did not have a gun nor did he have access to one, but the comments he made caused fear and disruption at the school," the sheriff's office added.
Both teens were taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville.
Franklin County
- Classes in Franklin County were canceled for Friday, Sept. 6, after the school systems reported threats being made.
According to a Facebook post, the Franklin County School System received threats toward the district on Thursday evening, Sept. 5. The district decided to close all schools on Friday for staff and students.
"We are working closely with local law enforcement and the GBI regarding this situation," the district said.
Fulton County
- Roswell Police said it arrested a 14-year-old student in connection with online threats made against Elkins Pointe Middle School. The police department said on Friday evening, it received multiple reports about an online threat against the school posted from an anonymous Instagram account.
The police department said it worked through the night and traced it to a home in Roswell. The student, police said, admitted to posting the treat as a "joke."
The teen was charged with terroristic threats and acts and domestic terrorism. The student was taken to the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center. - Atlanta Public Schools
- Parents received a letter from the district on Sept. 11 making them aware of social media posts circulating about threats of violence on Thursday, Sept. 12. The district wrote that they are taking all necessary measures to ensure people's safety. APSPD is also working closely with the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and APD to monitor and investigate threatening social media posts. On Sept. 12, APSPD will increase patrols of all schools with the help of partners at APS and the Fulton County Sheriff's Office.
- When asked about the letter, an APS spokesperson said that, like many school districts across Georgia, APS has experienced an uptick in threats since the Apalachee High School shooting last week. The spokesperson said that none have been deemed credible, that the district takes every threat seriously and that the safety of students and stuff is their top priority. The district is asking students, parents and community members to remain vigilant and continue to use their Say Something anonymous reporting system.
Gordon County
- The Gordon County Sheriff's Office stated that they arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection to a recent threat against a school in the county.
According to the sheriff's office, the teen boy was allegedly connected to a "threatening message."
The sheriff's office did not say which school was possibly targeted in the threat. Authorities added that the teen faces charges for disruption of public schools and may file additional charges. They also added that further arrests are possible.
Gwinnett County
- As of Friday, Sept. 6, the Gwinnett County Police Department said it had investigated nearly 300 social media threats. Investigators are working to identify the people making the threats.
Authorities said two juvenile students in Gwinnett County were making school threats: one student at Meadow Creek High and another student at Archer High. At a news conference on Friday, Sept. 6, Gwinnett County Schools Police Chief Tony Lockhart said at Archer High School, a student texted her boyfriend that there was an "active shooter" inside the school. Authorities responded immediately and determined that the report was false. The student is being charged with terroristic threats, Lockhart added.
Then, at Meadow Creek High, Lockhart said another student is facing charges after posting photos of guns on social media and making threats about harming students.
On Monday, Sept. 9, Gwinnett County Police announced an arrest for a "threatening social media post" made on Friday, Sept. 6. The department did not specify which school the threat was tied to, but said a juvenile suspect was charged with making terroristic threats -- a felony. - On Sept. 13, the Gwinnett County School District announced the arrest of a middle school student for bringing a gun to school. Authorities said a student at Duluth Middle School brought a loaded semiautomatic 9mm pistol on the bus and showed it to other students. The students reported it to school administration, who quickly sprang into action. The student was arrested and will face criminal charges in juvenile court.
- Gwinnett County Schools also said it has made 16 arrests for social media threats in the wake of the Apalachee High School shooting.
Hall County
- A 13-year-old middle school student was arrested after the Hall County Sheriff's Office said he made threats in front of his classmates at World Language Arts Academy Middle School.
Deputies said the teen announced he "was going to be the next school shooter” in class around 10:30 a.m. He also claimed that he had a "mag" in his backpack. School administrators removed the student from class, where he was searched, but no weapons were found.
He was arrested and charged with felony terroristic threats and disruption of public school. His parents were notified, and he was booked into the Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC) in Gainesville. - On Thursday, Sept. 5, in Hall County, the sheriff's office said a 17-year-old and a 13-year-old were arrested for social media threats made against three schools: Cherokee Buff High School, Johnson High School and South Hall Middle School.
The sheriff's office said they made threatening online posts that turned out to be hoaxes. The 17-year-old was arrested Thursday night at his home and is expected to be tried as an adult on charges of terroristic threats and acts and disruption or interference with the operation of public schools, both misdemeanor offenses.
"Investigators determined Justice had edited a social media post referencing a threat at another school outside of Hall County and tagged the location of Cherokee Bluff High School. He then shared the post to Snapchat. At last check, Justice remains in the Hall County Jail with a bond of $2,600," the sheriff's office added in a news release.
The 13-year-old was taken into custody and is expected to be charged as a juvenile. He was taken to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville and faces juvenile complaints of terroristic threats and acts and disruption or interference with the operation of public schools.
According to the sheriff's investigation, the 13-year-old shared an Instagram message "indicating he would perform an act of violence at Johnson High School and South Hall Middle School."
“It is disheartening that anyone would threaten a school, but beyond that, it is infuriating that these threats - hoax or not - come on the heels of the horrific attack that happened this week at Apalachee High School,” Sheriff Gerald Couch said. “I commend our community members for staying vigilant and alerting law enforcement when they see something suspicious. I assure everyone that we will do everything we can to find those responsible for spreading unnecessary fear, especially in our schools.” - North Hall Middle School
- A 12-year-old girl who is a 7th grader at North Hall Middle School is accused of making threatening statements on a school bus in the afternoon on Sept. 9, the sheriff's office said. She is accused of threatening to shoot students and teachers at both the middle school and North Hall High School. She was charged as a juvenile with felony terroristic threats. The student was released to the custody of her parents from juvenile intake.
- Cherokee Bluff Middle School
- An 11-year-old boy who is a 6th grader at Cherokee Bluff Middle School made verbal threats to his classmates on Sept. 10 in reference to him bringing a gun to school grounds so he could "shoot up the school" so he would not have to get up early to come to class, the sheriff's office said. He was charged as a juvenile with felony terroristic threats. The student was released to the custody of his parents from juvenile intake.
- Chicopee Woods Elementary School
- The sheriff's office said that a 10-year-old boy at Chicopee Woods Elementary School on Sept. 10 made verbal threats in the presence of other students, stating he would "shoot up the school" the next day. The District Attorney's Office was contacted, and because of the student's age, the office declined to press charges.
- Chestatee High School
- Chestatee High School administrators were searching a 14-year-old male student for suspicion of drug possession on school property on Sept. 10 when they discovered a knife with a four-inch blade on his person, the sheriff's office said. The knife was turned over to the CHS School Resource Officer and placed into evidence at HCSO Headquarters. The student did not threaten anyone with the knife, and no drugs were discovered, the sheriff's office said. The student was sent to the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville on a felony charge of possession of a weapon on school grounds.
Newton County
- On Friday, Sept. 6, Newton County deputies arrested a 12-year-old boy from Clements Middle School for making in-person threats toward students and staff.
The 12-year-old has been charged with terroristic threats and acts and was taken to the Juvenile Court System, according to the Newton County Sheriff's Office. - On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Newton County deputies arrested an 11-year-old boy from the Newton County STEAM Academy for making verbal threats toward students and staff on Aug. 2 and Sept. 5. The 11-year-old has been charged with terroristic threats and acts, and he was taken to the Juvenile Court System.
Troup County
- On Monday, Sept. 9, the LaGrange Police Department said social media threats were posted online regarding threats to "shoot up" 11 schools within the Troup County School System. An investigation was launched by the LaGrange Police Department and the Troup County Sheriff's Office. A 15-year-old boy, who is enrolled in the school system, was arrested and is facing 11 counts of terrorist threats. He was taken to Troup County Juvenile Court, the police department added.
This is a developing story. Check back often for new information.
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