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Written by: E. George
Published September 13, 2024 @ 3:00 PM ET
GEORGIA – Following the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia, law enforcement agencies across the state have faced a surge in threats against schools. The Apalachee High School shooting resulted in the deaths of four individuals: teachers Richard Aspinwall and Cristina Irimie and 14-year-old students Christian Angulo and Mason Schermerhorn. Nine others were shot and injured, with some still in the hospital receiving treatment.
Since the incident on September 4th, at least 19 students and 1 adult have been arrested for making threats on social media. The threats received targeted schools in 14 different cities and counties across Georgia.
Athens-Clarke County
In Athens-Clarke County, a 12-year-old boy has been charged with terroristic threats after posting images of firearms with the names of various Clarke County schools on social media. Although he did not possess any weapons, his actions have led to his arrest by the Department of Juvenile Justice.
DeKalb County
A 14-year-old was arrested for making threats, though details about the nature of these threats remain undisclosed. Additionally, another 12-year-old was issued a summons for contributing to these threats.
Forsyth County
A 15-year-old was arrested and charged with terroristic threats for an online threat against Pinecrest Academy. The teen claimed the threat was a joke.
In a separate incident, a 14-year-old from Desana Middle School was also taken into custody for terroristic threats and disruption of schools. Investigators are still determining if he was connected to any of the twelve threat reports investigated by school resource officers.
Gainesville
Gainesville police acted quickly, arresting a 14-year-old for making threats on social media just hours after the Apalachee High School shooting. The teen is now at the Regional Youth Detention Center in Gainesville.
Gordon County
A 15-year-old was arrested for making a threat against Ashworth Middle School and faces additional charges unrelated to the threat, including child molestation and sodomy. Another 15-year-old was arrested for threatening Sonoraville High School.
Gwinnett County
Gwinnett County saw two separate cases: a student from Meadow Creek High School was charged with terroristic threats after posting a photo of guns on social media threatening the school, while another student from Archer High School was arrested for falsely claiming there was an active shooter on campus.
Hall County
Hall County deputies have arrested two teenagers in connection with threats in their district. Jaymon Alan Justice, 17, has been charged as an adult with terroristic threats and disruption of public schools.
The 13-year-old was charged with threats to Johnson High School and South Hall Middle School. Another 13-year-old from World Language Academy Middle School was also arrested for making threats about becoming the “next school shooter.”
Jackson County
In Jackson County, a 15-year-old was arrested for threatening to continue the violence from the Apalachee High School shooting. A 12-year-old East Jackson Middle School student was also charged with making threats, though he was absent from school at the time.
Morgan County
A 17-year-old in Morgan County was arrested for making threats against Social Circle High School on Snapchat. He faces charges of terroristic threats and disturbing a public school and is being held in the Morgan County jail.
Monroe County
Monroe County authorities arrested 26-year-old Chris Cooper for making threats against the Monroe County School District. Cooper, who is being held without bond, faces charges of disseminating information related to terroristic acts.
Newton County
In Newton County, a 13-year-old was charged with threatening students and staff at Eastside High School. The suspect is being held in the Juvenile Court System.
Oconee County
Oconee County deputies investigated a threat at Malcolm Bridge Elementary School. The threat was deemed not credible, and the student was placed in the Department of Juvenile Justice custody.
Rome
Rome City Schools went on lockdown on Friday due to a threat from 17-year-old Nathaniel Peter Kozelle. Kozelle was arrested at his home and booked into the Floyd County Jail on charges of terroristic threats and disruption of public school operations.
Roswell
Roswell’s response involved a 14-year-old who made a threat against Elkins Pointe Middle School on an anonymous Instagram account. The student, who claimed the threat was a joke, was found to have used a replica pellet gun. He faces charges of terroristic threats and acts as well as domestic terrorism.
Authorities continue to investigate and prosecute these incidents to ensure the safety of students and staff.