GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A teenager is facing charges after investigators said he posted video on social media threatening South Gwinnett High School.
The principal at South Gwinnett kept parents up to date, posting a letter online. It said school police responded immediately after learning of the threat.
Channel 2's Matt Johnson obtained the video that shows the student loading a gun and then saying, "South Gwinnett -- you're next."
Officials do not believe the student had a plan to carry out any acts of violence on campus, but the threat was alarming enough to charge him.
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Investigators said they began looking into the issue after receiving a tip via twitter.
From there, Snellville police said they coordinated with Gwinnett County Schools Police to identify the student and then they arrest him on Saturday.
16 yr old South Gwinnett student charged with making a terroristic threat after posting video online . Video shows a clip being put in a gun and voice says “ South Gwinnett , you’re next.” Principal sent out letter last night . School discipline charges also expected. pic.twitter.com/kUz3S2NJsr
— Tony Thomas (@TonyThomasWSB) February 25, 2018
People in the community told Johnson they're thankful to see police departments investigating threats in the wake of the latest mass shooting in Florida.
“It's serious. I’m so afraid that you joke about it, that’s a thought process, whatever you do is a thought process. Well one day you might wake up and might do this,” parent Queen Padgett said.
Karina Guerrero has a child that goes to South Gwinnett as well. She told Johnson she is disturbed by the online threat.
“Things like this can’t be taken lightly nowadays,” Guerrero said. “You never know if they’re actually going to do things or not. Absolutely, I think it was the best thing to do.”
Her son, Erik, told Johnson he was also relieved someone reported the threat.
“Whoever reported to the police, the whole thing, I’m happy, because we might show up to school -- you never know what would happen,” Erik Guerrero said.
Gwinnett County Schools told Johnson that the 16-year-old South Gwinnett High student has been charged with terroristic threats and will face further disciplinary actions.
Cox Media Group
