Suspect and father in Apalachee High School shooting appear in Georgia court
The suspect in the Apalachee High School shooting and his father appeared before a judge Friday morning.
Earlier this week, Greenville County Schools (GCS) Superintendent Burke Royster and Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis asked parents for help in reporting potential threats at the school.
In a message to parents, Burke referred to the shooting at Appalachee High School near Winder, Georgia, on September 4, which left two students and two teachers dead and nine people injured in the attack.
Since the shooting, Upstate schools have seen an increase in violent threats. In response, the school district and local law enforcement are working together to ensure a safe learning environment for students.
“We are fully committed to the safety of all students and staff at Greenville County Schools. Our School Resource Officers are present at every school and work diligently to ensure a safe learning environment. In light of recent nationwide threats, we remain vigilant in the performance of our duties and take all threats seriously and investigate each one to the fullest extent possible,” Sheriff Lewis said in the GCS message to parents.
Here you can find out all about the arrests in connection with the threats and the parents’ reactions on social media.
6 students were arrested at GCS this week
On Wednesday, September 12, Tim Waller announced in an email to parents that four students were arrested in connection with threats at six schools. One arrest was of a student at Blue Ridge Middle School. The second arrest was of a student at Woodmont Middle School and the third was of a student at Greer Middle School. A fourth student at Riverside High School has also been charged.
According to a previous report from the Greenville News, a second arrest occurred at Blue Ridge Middle School on Wednesday when a student stated in a group chat that he wanted to bring a gun to school. No weapon was found on the student during the arrest. That same day, a 16-year-old Riverside High School student was arrested by school district investigators after being accused of firing a BB gun during cross-country team practice. Lt. Ryan Flood of the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that no students were injured, although one was struck by a shotgun pellet.
The six incidents were unrelated and it was recommended that the students be expelled from school. The identities of the students have not been established.
“As Dr. Royster, the sheriff and the chiefs of six municipal police departments have correctly stated, threats against schools, whether intended as a joke or not, are a crime in South Carolina and can result in serious legal consequences for students or adults,” Waller said.
Parents respond to threats on social media
Although arrests have already been made, many parents have taken to social media to express their fear of the threats, with some even opting to keep their children home from school. Screenshots of lists of threatened schools continue to be shared on Facebook, putting parents on high alert.
“I am so tired of seeing these lists of schools being targeted here in Greenville. Apparently this is happening in Anderson and Greenville too. It is crazy to try to panic kids and their parents!!,” said one Facebook user.
Another user wrote: “GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS NEED TO RETURN TO VIRTUAL SCHOOLING BECAUSE THESE PARENTS CANNOT CONTROL THEIR CHILDREN AND THIS SCHOOL CANNOT PROTECT OURS.”
One Facebook user encouraged people with mental health issues to seek help and stay away from GCS: “Why the schools? If you are angry or need mental health counseling, please seek professional help. The Greenville Free Medical Clinic offers free services, including medications prescribed according to your needs. Stay away from the schools!”
Which principals and law enforcement agencies support GCS in ensuring student safety?
∎ Police Chief Patrick Fortenberry, Fountain Inn Police Department.
∎ Police Chief Howie Thompson, Greenville Police Department.
∎ Police Chief Matt Hamby, Greer Police Department.
∎ Police Chief George Miller, Mauldin Police Department.
∎ Police Chief Michael Hanshaw, Simpsonville Police Department.
∎ Police Chief Benjamin Ford, Travelers Rest Police Department.
“If you see something, say something”
GCS and local law enforcement are urging students and parents to follow “If You See Something, Say Something,” a protocol used by all schools in the district. To ensure a safe learning community for all students in the school district, both students and parents should adhere to the protocol.
For example, parents can follow protocol by closely monitoring their children’s social media accounts to ensure students report concerns directly to the school or law enforcement. If you come across a concerning post on social media, don’t repost it—that can do more harm than good. Instead, students who come across something concerning should tell an adult or report it online using the “See Something, Say Something” icon on the Chromebook.
“Both the school district and law enforcement see the same messages on social media over and over again, and often the same message is edited to replace the school’s name and then re-shared. When students or adults re-post messages on social media and do not report them through the appropriate channels, fear is perpetuated and additional safety issues are created. This diverts resources from the school and law enforcement, complicates investigations, and makes it difficult to communicate accurate information to parents in a timely manner,” GCS said in its message to parents.
It is important to note that it is not unusual for there to be an increase in false threats following a school shooting. However, GCS and local law enforcement continue to investigate incidents surrounding the school district. So far, no one has been injured in any of the threats made this week.
“We are grateful for the great relationship and communication we have with the Greenville County School District, and we will continue to work together to protect our schools and keep our children safe. Remember, if you see something, say something,” said Sheriff Lewis.
Nina Tran covers current affairs for The Greenville News. You can reach her by email at [email protected].