'KKK' Twitter Threat Came from African-American Student: Police

GAMBRILLS, MD — A 14-year-old African-American girl has been charged with allegedly threatening to attack fellow students at Arundel High School using the Twitter account @KoolkidsKlanKkk. Anne Arundel County Police say that the girl and her parents met with detectives, when the teen admitted that she created the Twitter account and sent the threatening tweet.

She was charged on a juvenile citation with disruption of school activities and released to the custody of her parents.

The student reportedly made racist statements online and tweeted, “We’re planning to attack tomorrow,” ahead of Tuesday classes. In response to the threat extra police officers were at the school Tuesday but authorities said they were on hand as a precaution and didn't see the tweet as a credible threat. On Friday, a racist anti-African American petition was shared by a few students at Arundel High School and another student charged in that case.

There is absolutely no room in the public schools for the racist language contained on the so-called "Kool Kids Klan" petition, school leaders and county officials said. Police said while the petition was "reprehensible," it is not a crime.

Schools Superintendent George Arlotto on Wednesday praised the fast work of law enforcement to arrest a suspect in the Arundel High School Twitter post case.

“The anonymity of the internet provides a murky and complex disguise for many who want to threaten the safety and security of our communities. Our partners in the Police Department and county government peeled back that disguise quickly in this case, in the process reassuring parents, students, and staff that our schools are safe places in which to educate our children.”

Arundel High School Principal Gina Davenport said in a letter to parents posted Wednesday that she is relieved that the case was resolved quickly, but shocked and saddened by the threats.

"I ask you to continue to talk to your child about these events because those conversations are crucial to our ability to continue to move forward," Davenport wrote. "We will be having those same conversations in our classrooms, and we will – together – continue to cultivate and nurture children who will one day change the world. We will combat fear and hate with education and communication."

»See Davenport's letters to parents on the school website.

In a separate case, on Monday night, a Twitter user under the name "kkkforeal" threatened violence at Annapolis High School, although police say the threat is not credible. Extra officers were also at that building on Tuesday, but no problems were reported.

Anne Arundel County Police spokesman Marc Limansky says police believe the threat toward Annapolis is a copy-cat action from Friday's incident at Arundel High School.

»Photo of Arundel High School from the Anne Arundel County Public Schools website