By Staff Report
Washington County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies were made aware of a social media post going around on the popular app, Snapchat, on Dec. 6. The content was related to a threat of a school shooting, warning students not to go to school on Dec. 7.
While investigating the post going through Washington County Schools, a suspect was developed within the district. After investigative interviews, probable cause for arrest was found, and a student from Roulhac Middle School was arrested and charged for originating and distributing the material in our area.
The student was charged under a Florida Statute for written threats to conduct a mass shooting. The juvenile was transported to the Washington County Jail and subsequently to the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Detention Center.
During the investigation, a nationwide alert to law enforcement agencies was sent out, showing the incident was being spread across the United States. According to the bulletin, the first incident originated in Kent County, Michigan and a person of interest was interviewed in that case.
Washington County Sheriff’s Office believes there is no active threat to Washington County Schools at this time. Although one person is in custody, the post keeps making the rounds among the student body. Even though there is no perceived threat, Washington County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputies will maintain a heightened sense of alert until this incident fully comes to pass.
Jim Saunders