Teen taken to Department of Juvenile Justice after alleged threats to Sumter County high school

Posted

A 17-year-old was taken to Department of Juvenile Justice after reportedly making threats to commit a shooting at a local high school.

At 6:37 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, Sumter dispatch received a call from the FBI National Threat Operations Center regarding a teenager, who was not identified, making a threat to “shoot the school up” on social media, according to Mark Bordeaux, public information officer with Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded simultaneously to the teenager’s home and high school. Upon securing the school, they detained the teenager as they attempted to enter the school. The teenager was searched and was found to not have any weapons in their possession, Bordeaux said.

The teenager then told deputies they did not mean anything by their post and stated it was a “joke”, contributed to their “dark humor.” Further communication found in the teenager's possession also concerned deputies, Bordeaux said.

The unidentified teen was taken to Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia and charged with threatening schools, according to Bordeaux. The teen  will be petitioned before family court.

“When it comes to the safety of our children, no so-called ‘joke’ will be taken lightly,” said Sheriff Anthony Dennis. “Every parent feels the same gut reaction at even the thought of our children being put in danger – it is awful.”

Dennis further asked parents to watch their children’s activity on the internet as, “Social media can be a positive tool when used wisely. Young people are not ready to be left alone in the Wild West of the web and chatrooms” as they may not grasp the consequences of their actions or statements.

He commended the work of FBI and local deputies for their rapid response.


x