21 Juveniles Charged Over Alleged Threats Against Schools in South Carolina

South Carolina authorities have charged 21 juveniles for making threats against schools this month.

At a Glance

21 juveniles have been charged for making “extremely serious” school threats in South Carolina
Over 60 threats have been probed across 23 counties since September 4
A number of threats were shared on social media platforms, causing widespread concern.
Law enforcement emphasizes the severe consequences for making school threats.
The threats follow a fatal school shooting in Georgia in early September.

School Threats Lead to Arrests

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has reported dozens of school threats following a tragic school shooting in Georgia earlier this month. In response, authorities have charged 21 juveniles for making what they describe as “extremely serious” threats against educational institutions across the state.

Since September 4, law enforcement agencies have been investigating over 60 threats spanning 23 counties in South Carolina. Many of these threats were disseminated through social media platforms, causing widespread concern among students, parents, and school officials.

Law Enforcement’s Stern Warning

Chief Mark Keel of South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has issued a stark warning to those considering making such threats, emphasizing the gravity of the situation and the severe consequences that await offenders.

“School threats are not a joke,” Keel said in a statement. “Law enforcement takes every threat seriously, and everyone needs to understand that there are serious consequences.”

This firm stance underscores the zero-tolerance approach authorities are adopting in the face of rising threats. The message is clear: any individual making threats against schools will face swift and severe legal repercussions.

Collaborative Effort to Ensure School Safety

SLED is not working alone in this endeavor. The agency has joined forces with local, state, and federal law enforcement to thoroughly investigate each threat and identify those responsible. Additionally, SLED’s Behavioral Science Unit is lending its expertise to six school threat investigations across various counties, providing crucial psychological profiling and threat assessments.

60 school threats made, 21 juveniles arrested in SC this month, SLED report shows https://t.co/aMFCbrHf5m

— WYFF News 4 (@wyffnews4) September 18, 2024

While specific details about the threats, charges, and identities of those arrested have not been made public, authorities have confirmed that threats were reported at several institutions, including Lancaster High School and schools in Horry County.

The Ripple Effect of Social Media Threats

Many of the threats under investigation were spread through social media platforms, with some messages being edited to replace school names and then reshared. This digital spread of threats has posed unique challenges for law enforcement and school administrators alike.

“These threats are extremely serious and will be treated as such,” Renée Wunderlich of SLED said.

Horry County Schools (HCS) has advised against reposting concerning social media posts, as this can exacerbate the situation and cause more harm. Instead, the public is urged to report any information regarding school threats to local law enforcement immediately.

A Nationwide Concern

The issue of school threats is not isolated to South Carolina. Similar incidents have been reported in Central California, Broward County, Florida, and more. In Volusia County, Florida, Sheriff Mike Chitwood took the unusual step of posting images and videos of an 11-year-old charged with making a fake school shooting threat. This step came after he threatened students and parents with public humiliation over the swath of school threats.

As the investigation continues, South Carolina law enforcement remains committed to securing schools and identifying those responsible for these threats. The message from authorities is unequivocal: threats against schools, regardless of intent, will be met with serious legal consequences.