Statesboro Police Department (SPD) confirmed a 14 year old SHS student was arrested in connection to a bomb threat at the school Wednesday morning. This arrest is the culmination of a nerve wracking day for students, teachers, administrators, law enforcement and parents.
Events began to unfold at 9:15 am, Wednesday, January 19, 2022, when a SPD school resource officers (SRO's) were notified by staff at SHS that a threatening note had been discovered in a classroom.
From the statement released by SPD, the note indicated that a bomb had been concealed inside of the school.
SRO’s and staff began procedures for securing the school while additional SPD patrol officers and detectives responded. K9 units from the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and Chatham County Board of Education Police arrived along with other officers from the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Southern University Police Department, and Georgia State Patrol.
A thorough search of the entirety of the High School was conducted with no suspicious devices located.
14 year old male student arrested
SPD Detectives conducted an investigation into the author of the note. At the conclusion of the investigation, a 14 year old male student was arrested and charged with Terroristic Threats and Disrupting a Public School. The student was later transported to the Claxton RYDC pending further judicial action.
The Statesboro Police Department would like to thank all of its agency partners and the staff of Statesboro High School for their assistance and cooperation during the incident.
Tense moments for everyone
Initially students and teachers assumed this was a drill. However, when it came time to change classes and they were told to stay put, they knew it was more serious. Grice Connect was flooded with calls and messages from concerned parents.
Hayley Green, Public Relations Director, Bulloch County Schools released the first statement shortly after a similar notification went out to parents using the schools notification system. Green continued to update media as more information came available.
Parents began lining up behind the football field on Fleming Drive to pick up their children a little after the first statement was released.
After concerning events like this it is important to review the schools safety protocols. You can review those by clicking here.
SEE SOMETHING? SAY SOMETHING!
If you see something, say something. Immediately report crime tips or suspicious activity at your school to a school administrator, a trusted adult, or contact the following local law enforcement tip lines:
- Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office at 912.764.1771
- Statesboro Police Department: Anonymously submit information to TipSoft or text TIPSSPD plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES).
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