A student who threatened to “shoot up” an Augusta County school on social media was arrested early Friday morning.
The Augusta County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about the threat at approximately 5:51 a.m.
Deputies responded to the student’s home before buses picked up children in the immediate area.
The juvenile was taken into custody and charged with a felony for threats of death or bodily injury. The age and sex of the student was not released nor was the school that was the alleged target.
The student was taken to the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Detention Center, according to the ACSO.
“This was an isolated incident, and the juvenile was taken into custody prior to the school day beginning this morning. Therefore, there was no threat to the school,” said Augusta County Sheriff Donald L. Smith.
The ACSO and Augusta County school administrators put out a joint statement reminding parents to monitor their children on social media.
“The ACSO and Augusta County Public Schools remind parents to please monitor, educate and counsel their children about social media,” the statement read.
“Students and young adults may think these types of threats are funny, jokes or used to seek attention. However, the ACSO and school administrators need parents to understand and explain that these threats have serious consequences.”
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Crystal Graham
