Police To Students: No Such Thing As 'Just Kidding'

FORSYTH COUNTY, GA — Rumors of a gun at North Forsyth High School Friday were false, according to Forsyth County Sheriff's Office. After arresting a 15-year-old on Thursday and a 16-year-old on Wednesday, both for making threats against their schools, police warn there is no such thing as "just kidding."

Police said they interviewed the student who made a false statement.

"We did remove a student from the school [Friday] morning regarding a separate incident. We continue to work together with our Forsyth County School partners to investigate all information and tips," reads a Facebook post the sheriff's office. "While it is important to say something if you see something, it is imperative for parents to talk to their kids about the seriousness of making false statements. They can trigger very serious consequences. There is no such thing as a 'just kidding threat.'"

The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office arrested a 15-year-old at West Forsyth High School Thursday for making threats on Twitter, one day after a 16-year-old student was charged with making terroristic threats of violence related to a school shooting at the same school, police say.

Thursday afternoon the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office responded to a social media threat at West Forsyth High School. Sheriff's deputies report that they had located and arrested the 15-year-old male student who authored the social media threat against West Forsyth High School on Twitter.

A 16-year-old student was been charged after making threats of violence related to a school shooting at West Forsyth High School in Forsyth County on Wednesday, according to police.

A concerned parent notified the Forsyth Sheriff's Office of a social media post made by a student which displayed a firearm and made a threat of violence.

These arrests happened only days after 17 people were killed at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., by alleged gunman Nikolas Cruz, 19.

"The safety of our children is of the utmost importance, so we take all information seriously and continue to encourage students and parents to share information," reads another Forsyth Sheriff's Office Facebook post. "Furthermore, it is also important for parents to remind their children how severe their words can be, regardless of what context they are spoken, and they can trigger serious concern and consequences. Threats, in any capacity, are not a joking matter.

"Rest assured we will continue to thoroughly investigate all tips and threats made against our schools," continues the post. "Our heightened presence in addition to our School Resource Officers will continue at all schools."

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