A 14-year-old student in Roswell has been arrested for making an online threat against Elkins Pointe Middle School. The arrest comes during a wave of heightened concerns about school safety following a mass shooting earlier this week in Winder.
The Details: On Friday evening the Roswell Police Department received several reports from the community about an Instagram post threatening violence at the school. The post, which was traced to a home in Roswell, led officers to a 14-year-old student who admitted to making the threat as a “joke.” During a search of the home, authorities found a replica pellet gun used in the post. The student was arrested and charged with terroristic threats and domestic terrorism, then taken to the Metro Regional Youth Detention Center.
By The Numbers: This arrest comes amid a wave of similar cases across Georgia, as school safety is on high alert. Just two days prior, a shooting at Apalachee High School left four people dead, including two students and two teachers, and nine others injured. Since then, dozens of students statewide have been arrested for making threats against schools.
In Context: The Apalachee High School shooting has rattled communities across Georgia, sparking an increased vigilance in response to any and all threats. The shooter in that case, 14-year-old Colt Gray, was apprehended by a school resource officer. Following that tragedy, schools statewide are reporting a surge in tips about possible threats, most of which have been deemed non-credible. However, law enforcement officials have stressed that all threats will be taken seriously.
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What’s Next: The Roswell teen will face charges in juvenile court. As the state deals with the aftermath of the Apalachee High School tragedy, communities across Georgia are coming to terms with the escalating fear surrounding school safety.
