A Secret City Academy student was charged with terrorism and other crimes after allegedly threatening to shoot people and use a bomb at the school on Friday, Anderson County’s district attorney general said. This is the fourth student charged with similar crimes in three incidents this school year.
Seventh Judicial District DA Dave Clark said the alleged oral threat by the juvenile briefly caused restrictions on movements within the school. The Secret City Academy is on the Oak Ridge High School campus.
“Nobody was hurt, and no firearm or explosive device was involved,” Clark said in a press release.
The alleged threats were investigated by the Oak Ridge Police Department, Oak Ridge Schools, Anderson County Juvenile Court, and the DA’s office.
Besides terrorism, the student, who is not named because he or she is under 18, was charged with threat of mass violence on school property and false report, Clark said. He said a petition against the child was filed in Anderson County Juvenile Court in Clinton on Friday afternoon. The student was taken into custody and ordered to be confined at the Richard L. Bean facility in Knox County.
Clark said a detention hearing is required quickly, and that hearing may be held as soon as next week in Anderson County Juvenile Court.
“I am saddened to have to repeat the message that making threats directed at our schools, children, or staff will not be tolerated,” Clark said. “This is a very serious matter, and all those involved in educating our children or safeguarding the educational environment will respond accordingly. Making such threats isn’t funny, and the experience for those making threats isn’t going to be fun.”
In December, three juveniles were charged with similar offenses stemming from two separate incidents in the same week. Two of the children were allegedly involved in a shooting threat posted on Snapchat, and they were also charged with conspiracy. That threat led to a lockdown at Oak Ridge High School. The third child was allegedly involved in a separate shooting threat that was also posted on Snapchat. Clark said two of those students have remained detained since that time at the Richard L. Bean Detention Center.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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