Decatur High Student Arrested For School Threats

DECATUR, GA — A 15-year-old Decatur High School student was arrested on campus Friday after making what officials called "disturbing comments and threats" toward other students.

Decatur Police responded at about 9 a.m. Friday morning after being alerted by school officials. The student, whose identity is not being released because of age, was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats.

"The school staff and the Decatur Police Department acted immediately when notified of the threat and appropriate disciplinary action is taking place," DHS Principal Arlethea Williams said in a message to parents. "At no time did we believe any students or staff were in danger, nor do we believe so now."

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In her message, Williams noted the seriousness of school threats in the wake of incidents like the deadly school shooting last month in Parkland, Fla.

"Recent tragedies at schools have heightened everyone’s concern for the safety of students," she wrote. "I want to ensure you that we always take any type of threat seriously and have the full cooperation of the police department."

She urged parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of school threats and of reporting suspicious activities, threats or other information. She noted that law enforcement agencies are prosecuting school threats, even when they are supposedly made as jokes.

Photo courtesy City Schools of Decatur