Image, text same for Ware as one circulated targeting other systems in Georgia
Ware County joined the list of school systems in Georgia Monday to receive threats of a possible shooting.
Personnel from the Waycross Police Department and Ware County Sheriff’s Office joined Ware County School Resource Officers to provide additional security for schools September 9.
“We’ve had extra manpower around the city schools,” Waycross Police Department Major Danny Hampton said Monday afternoon. “We became aware of the message on social media and are working with the school police as a precaution. (The message) is evidently the same one that’s been a threat at multiple schools.”
The threats have circulated on social media since the shooting September 4 at Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga. Colt Gray, a freshman at the school, killed two students and two teachers, and wounded nine others before being apprehended by an armed SRO.
Ware County Schools received warnings from students about the threatening post that led to the increased security on campuses.
The system’s website posted, “Ware County Schools Police Department, working closely with Waycross Police Department, Ware County Sheriff’s Office, GEMA, and Homeland Security, has determined that the image circulating originated from another Georgia county last week. Law enforcement in that county has addressed the matter with the original sender.
“While we do not believe there is a specific credible threat to our schools at this time, we will be taking extra steps to ensure the safety of our students and staff. This includes increased police presence, supported by our local law enforcement partners. Our students' and staff members' safety is our top priority, and we appreciate your continued support and communication.”
A WCSO social media post late Sunday said: “The Sheriff's Office has been coordinating with Ware County Schools Police, GEMA/Homeland Security is currently evaluating this potential threat, and Ware County Sheriff's Office Detectives are investigating the matter locally as well.
“The Ware County Sheriff's Office will have Deputies at all county schools tomorrow (Monday) to assist the SRO’s with having an increased law enforcement presence to hopefully lessen anxiety this post has likely created among parents.”
On Thursday evening, September 5, Brantley School administrators were informed by students and parents of a threatening post which arrived via Snapchat. By Friday morning authorities had arranged additional security and school was held under lockdown.
School administrators commended students who took “screen shots of the message and got the message to an adult. ‘See something, say something’ is important and crucial in today’s world,” a school system post said.
Copy cat threats have surfaced in schools throughout the state. WALB News reported three south Georgia threats had resulted in arrests.
September 5, a 13-yearold was arrested by the GBI in connection with online shooting threats made at Brooks County Middle School.
A 17-year-old was arrested September 6 in Crisp County for making terroristic threats on a text app. An 11-year-old was arrested in Valdosta for terroristic threats via social media.
A 16-year-old faces a number of charges, including making a false report on the use of a firearm, after a threatening phone call to Jacksonville’s mental health emergency and suicide prevention line.
Staff writers EJ Pond and Rick Nolte contributed to this report.
