Etowah Students Charged After Social Media Posts Caused 'Panic'

WOODSTOCK, GA -- The Cherokee County School Police Department has charged three Etowah High School students after alleged social media posts made Thursday "caused a panic," the system said late Friday evening.

The students face charges of disrupting public school, and will face additional administrative disciplinary action, which Cherokee County School District spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said can't be disclosed due to federal privacy laws.

"These students’ posts on Thursday led to a panic among students and their parents, who then called 9-1-1 and CCSD’s School Police tip line and emailed and messaged police and CCSD officials," Jacoby added in a statement.

While CCSD said its prompt response by emailing Etowah and E.T. Booth Middle School parents Thursday evening and bolstering police presence on the campus Friday may have calmed many families, 695 absences, or 29 percent of its student body, were reported Oct. 27 at Etowah. For its part, Booth Middle School had 209 absences, or 12 percent of its student population.

"We hope parents will use this as a teachable moment," Jacoby added on behalf of Superintendent of Schools Dr. Brian Hightower. "Making a threat of violence is not a joke -- it will lead to disciplinary action and potentially criminal prosecution. When students hear a rumor, they need to report it to the police or school administration instead of posting it on social media, which can hinder an investigation.

"The safety and security of our students and employees is our top priority. We care about your children, and that care guides everything we do. This past week has been very challenging for our entire community, and we appreciate your continued support."

The social media posts and subsequent charges come on the heels after two fellow Etowah students, Alfred Dupree and Victoria McCurley, both 17, have been charged in connection to a plot to bring harm upon their classmates as well as staff members.

Both students were arrested and charged with three counts of criminal attempt to commit murder, four counts of terroristic threats and acts and one count each of criminal attempt to commit arson and possession and/or transportation of destructive device/explosive with intent to kill, injure or destroy any pubic building.

They remain held at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center without bond. Return to Patch for updates.

Image via Shutterstock