5 Students Accused Of Making Threats Against Schools (UPDATE)

CARTERSVILLE, GA — The Bartow County Schools Police Department has charged five students in connection with threats the school system said was directed at its schools. The arrests of the students, consisting of four juveniles and one adult, came to light after the district said it would beef up security system wide after discovering alleged social media posts indicating violence would take place at Cass and Woodland High schools and Adairsville Middle School.

BCSS said Thursday on its Facebook page that one student was charged with reckless conduct and disruption of school while the other two students were each charged with felony terroristic threats. No guns were found on any of the school system's campuses, the district added.

Early Friday evening, the system said two more students, both juveniles, were also added to the lineup of pupils facing charges. One student who attends Woodland High School is charged with giving false information to a police officer, disrupting school and reckless conduct, all of which are misdemeanors. Another student at another school also faces one count of felony terroristic threats.

"This is another stark reminder that our school police officers will not tolerate the circulation of threats or rumors of threats," the system said Friday. "We have worked very hard to provide our children with the very best instruction and opportunities, and will not stand for any disruption of our school climate.

System spokesperson Alisha Evans said the adult charged is a 17-year-old student whose name will not be released at this time.

Bartow school officials also encouraged parents to have "ample conversations" with their children about safe and responsible uses of social media and to urge their youngsters to report any suspicious behavior to the proper authorities.

"We all play an important role in keeping our great, high-achieving schools safe," the system added.

To aid in thwarting any threats to bring violence to its students, the Bartow County School System recently said it will purchase access control systems for at least 12 exterior doors at its facilities and test its 9-1-1 buttons that are already in place at district schools.

BCSS also thanked parents and students who shared their concerns and worked with school officials to address these recent issues. The system also thanked the FBI, the Bartow County Sheriff's Office and other local law enforcement agencies in its investigation.

"We all share a common goal; to keep our children safe," the system said.

Image via Shutterstock