21 Juveniles Charged With Making School Threats in South Carolina
Amid mounting concerns over the increasing number of threats to schools throughout the nation, the latest development has seen 21 juveniles charged with making severe threats against schools in South Carolina over the course of this month. These threats were primarily made and disseminated via various social media platforms.
A Series of Disturbing School Threats
In a news release issued by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, they emphasized the severity of these threats, underscoring the commitment of law enforcement to investigate and react to every single one of them. The Chief of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Mark Keel, stated, “School threats are not a joke. Law enforcement takes every threat seriously, and everyone needs to understand that there are serious consequences.”
These 21 charges are part of a broader investigation encompassing more than 60 threats against schools spread across 23 counties since the 4th of September. This is following the catastrophic high school shooting in Georgia that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers, committed by a 14-year-old boy.
More School Threats Nationwide
In the wake of the horrible incident in Georgia, threats of mass violence have seen a significant rise on social media platforms. This sudden surge is leaving law enforcement authorities, who are often limited in their response to potential violence, at their wits’ end.
Several arrests involving teenagers have occurred in Central California based on similar threats. In Broward County, Florida, where a high school massacre occurred in 2018 resulting in 17 fatalities, officials reported that since August, nine students have been taken into police custody in response to violence threats.
An Unwavering Effort To Mitigate Threats
South Carolina law enforcement agencies have been diligently at work since this series of threats began, with the primary mission being to secure schools and identify the culprits. The agency’s behavioral science unit, which specializes in psychological profiling and threat assessments, has been activated to aid with six school threat investigations spanning multiple counties.
Limited Information on Identified Threats
Thus far, specific details regarding these threats, the ensuing charges, and information on the arrested individuals remain undisclosed. While the identities and ages of those apprehended in these South Carolina incidents are sealed, representatives for the law enforcement agencies stated that more information is not presently available.
Reportedly, one of such threats involved a potential shooting at Lancaster High School in Lancaster, S.C., launched on 11th September. In another instance, a myriad of rumored threats intended for Horry County Schools in the southeastern part of the state were circulated on social media.
Remaining Vigilant
This wave of school threats emphasizes the importance of vigilance among educators, students, and parents. The law enforcement community and school districts nationwide are committed to driving home the message that threats are not taken lightly and will result in significant consequences for offenders.
