Threats Of Violence Target GA Schools After Fatal Mass Shooting

GEORGIA — The deadly shooting Wednesday at Apalachee High School in Barrow County has ignited threats aimed at various schools throughout Georgia, several police agencies and school officials reported Friday.

After a 14-year-old boy was charged with opening fire at the Winder high school, killing two students and two teachers, authorities said multiple arrests have been made after their local school districts received threats.

Eight students and a teacher were injured in the Barrow Couty shooting. The accused shooter, Colt Gray, was charged on suspicion of four counts of murder, authorities said. His father, Colin Gray, was arrested Thursday night and faces several charges.

The FBI Atlanta office posted photos of some of the threats deemed not credible, asking the community to not share or forward them.

Metro Atlanta

One Cobb County elementary school reported on Friday receiving a threat of an unknown nature, though the school said the threat was deemed false and that students were safe. It is unknown if anyone was charged in the incident.

In Dunwoody, police said any reported threats were not credible. Dunwoody Police tweeted Friday officers will assist school police with additional patrols at local schools.

Conyers Police said officers increased their presence Friday near C.J. Hicks Elementary School and Rockdale County High School after receiving threats made on social media.

Police said the posts listed a couple of Rockdale County Public Schools.

"While the threats have not targeted any schools within the City of Conyers, we have decided to increase police presence near C.J. Hicks Elementary and Rockdale County High School as a precaution. We will keep everyone updated if any of the above information changes," police said in a Facebook post.

Both the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety and Johns Creek Police said Friday their departments were aware of the online threats being made against Fulton County schools.

"The Johns Creek Police Department cares deeply about the safety and well-being of our community. We understand the anxiety that threats can cause, and we want to assure you that your safety is our top priority," police said via Facebook. "We are working closely with Fulton County school resource officers to provide heightened visibility and additional patrols in and around the schools. We are taking these precautions seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe environment for all."

Alpharetta public safety officials said they were communicating with Fulton County School Police and would assist in an investigation, if needed.

"Working with the school police, the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety is also taking proactive measures to ensure student safety. Our police officers have increased their presence around Alpharetta schools and are always ready and prepared to assist," public safety officials said.

Hall County

Authorities in Hall County, about 25 miles from Barrow County, said two teenagers were arrested after online threats were made at three local schools.

The Hall County Sheriff's Office said authorities "fielded dozens of reports from citizens concerned about online posts threatening violence against multiple schools in the Hall County School District. Even though the threats were determined to be hoaxes, investigators were able to locate two suspects responsible for creating and sharing threats to online platforms."

Authorities said Jaymon Alan Justice, 17, of Flowery Branch, was arrested Thursday night at his home and was charged as an adult on suspicion of terroristic threats and acts and disruption or interference with operation of public schools, both misdemeanors.

Justice was accused of editing a social media post authorities said referenced a threat at a school outside of Hall "and tagged the location of Cherokee Bluff High School." Justice was then accused of sharing the post to Snapchat.

Authorities said Justice was being held in the Hall County Jail on a $2,600 bond.

In a separate incident, a 13-year-old boy was arrested after authorities said he shared an Instagram message "indicating he would perform an act of violence at Johnson High School and South Hall Middle School."

The boy was arrested at his home and was charged as a juvenile on suspicion of terroristic threats and acts and disruption or interference with operation of public schools, authorities said. He was taken to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center.

“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,” Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch said in a news release. “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.”

On Friday night, authorities said a 13-year-old male student threatened to be "the next school shooter" in front of his classmates at World Language Academy Middle School.

Authorities said the incident took place around 10:30 a.m. The boy claimed to have a "'mag' in his backpack," but no weapons were found during a search by administrators, authorities said.

A school resource officer arrested the student and charged him on suspicion of felony terroristic threats and disruption of a public school, authorities said.

His parents were notified, and he was taken to the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center, authorities said.

The Gainesville Police Department arrested a 14-year-old student who police said made school threats online Wednesday night, the same day of the Apalachee shooting.

The student was charged on suspicion of terroristic threat and disrupting operation of a public school and was taken to the youth detention center, police said.

"As law enforcement, our primary goal is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff," Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish said in a statement. "Our hearts are broken surrounding the heinous attack at Apalachee High School in our neighboring community. Hoax or not, we will actively investigate every threat or possible action to any school or student. Likewise, you should expect the full force of the Gainesville Police Department and our law enforcement partners to take necessary actions to protect our schools.”

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Bartow County

In Bartow County, Cartersville Middle School received an anonymous call from an unknown male around 9:45 a.m. Friday, Cartersville Police said.

The caller said he was en route to the middle school with a gun, police said.

"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," police said in a news release.

Officers thoroughly searched the school and its grounds, finding no threat at the school, police said.

The lockdown was lifted, and police said "there is no evidence to corroborate that the threat was anything more than a hoax."

Clarke County

A 12-year-old Athens resident was arrested Thursday after Athens-Clarke County Police were notified of social media threats, police said.

The social media posts showed images of guns with names of Clarke County schools, police said. Detectives and crime analysts were able to identify the account and the suspect, police said.

The 12-year-old was charged on suspicion of terroristic threats and was detained by the Department of Juvenile Justice, police said.

The suspect did not have any weapons, police said, adding the images of the guns were pulled from the internet.

An unidentified person was arrested Friday morning in a similar incident in Clarke County, school officials said. It is unclear if the two incidents are related.

The Clarke County School District said the Georgia Bureau of Investigation deemed a social media post listing area schools "targeted for violence" as a hoax.

"We will continue to be hyper-vigilant during the coming days with extra security measures in place, increased police patrols and additional administrative support at all schools. We will also be reviewing internal safety protocols with staff to make sure our buildings are as secure as possible," school officials said Thursday in a Facebook post.

"We know that tensions are high and are working closely with Athens-Clarke County Police to ensure we are making decisions based on the most reliable, current and accurate information possible. Many thanks to all those who have shared tips and information through our CCSD tip line. We continue to ask that you share your concerns with us."

Tipsters who believe imminent threats are posed at local schools can use the tip line by leaving electronic messages to share information with law enforcement, school officials said.

"CCSD takes any and all threats seriously and we wish to thank all the students, parents, staff, and community members who reported the concerning posts. If you see something, say something," school officials said via Facebook.

Newton County

A 13-year-old Newton County student was arrested Thursday after authorities said he threatened students and staff members at Eastside High School.

The Newton County Sheriff's Office said the unnamed student was charged on suspicion of terroristic threats and acts and is currently being held by the Juvenile Court System.

"(Newton County) Sheriff Ezell Brown urges all students and their parents to understand that any threats or acts of violence will not be tolerated, and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. All threats made towards NCSS students, staff or anyone will be taken seriously. Ensuring the safety and security of our schools and community remains a top priority," authorities said in a Facebook post.

Authorities asked residents to immediately report suspicious behavior or concerns.

Lowndes County

Officers arrested an 11-year-old girl after a Valdosta Middle School resource officer who was notified of a social media threat to shoot a school was traced back to an email address belonging to the girl, Valdosta Police said Friday. The officer was alerted to the threat around 8 a.m.

The girl was a student at Valdosta Middle, police said. She was removed from the classroom, and police said the girl's mother was present at the school while police interviewed the girl.

Police said the girl told officers she was on social media with other students when she made "a comment about doing a school shooting, but she meant it as a joke."

The girl was arrested and was charged on suspicion of terroristic threats, police said. The Department of Juvenile Justice said the girl could be released to her mother, police said.

“We take all threats to our schools seriously, especially on the heels of what occurred Wednesday at Apalachee High School," Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan said in a news release. "These threats are not jokes, and our department will take appropriate action.”