Alabama schools are on high alert after a rash of threats made against school systems across the state resulted in over a dozen juveniles arrested so far.
What started as a trickle soon turned into a deluge as more and more schools began alerting law enforcement and parents of continued threats to schools across the state.
The first wave came in the River Region, where police arrested four juveniles for a series of widely promulgated social media posts threatening schools in Montgomery, Elmore and Autauga Counties. Police and school officials tried for days to quell parents' concerns while continually addressing the online rumor mill, where people were falsely reporting active shooters at different schools, as well as other unsubstantiated claims.
In the subsequent days, law enforcement has continued to make arrests related to more social media threats.
On Friday, the Tuscaloosa Police Department arrested a 13-year-old for allegedly sharing threats against Eastwood Middle School, charging the juvenile with making terroristic threats.
Over the weekend, the Troy Police Department arrested a juvenile for a social media threat targeting a local school. A non-specified individual was also arrested in Homewood for threats made via Instagram against Homewood High School.
Principal Joel Henneke told parents that the suspect is not associated with Homewood City Schools as a former or current student.
"While we believe there is no credible threat to our school, please know that our school resource officers will remain vigilant and alert to any unusual activity, as student and staff safety is our top priority," he said.
"Unfortunately, several schools in our area and throughout the state have been subject to similar postings. Thankfully, these instances have been determined to be hoaxes, and there are no confirmed threats at this time. We want to reassure our families that we take all threats and comments very seriously."
On Monday, a Fort Payne student was also arrested for threatening the local Middle School. A school resource officer informed police of the threat.
On Thursday, a 16-year-old male was arrested for making a bomb threat to Woodlawn High School in Jefferson County.
At least 16 minors total have been arrested for making terroristic threats to school in the past two weeks.
This past Friday, a student at Birmingham's Wenonah High School was arrested for making terroristic threats for saying he was going to shoot up the school. That same day, a fifth-grader was arrested for allegedly texting threats to students at Athens Intermediate School. The 10-year-old was not at school that day and was arrested at home. Birmingham police arrested another 16-year-old male that same day, charging him with making two terroristic threats on social media. The boy threatened to carry out shootings at two Birmingham high schools.
Two juveniles, a male and female, both 13, were initially arrested by the Montgomery Police Department last Sunday and Monday and transported to the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility. MPD later arrested an 11-year-old female over the threats and released her to a guardian due to her age. Later that day, MPD also arrested a 14-year-old Male.
Millbrook Police also arrested two 12-year-olds related to online threats directed toward Stanhope Elmore High School and Millbrook Middle School last week. A 15-year-old boy in Etowah County was taken into custody and charged with allegedly making a terroristic threat against Southside High School.
None of the threats have led to violent action. However, the trend has grabbed the attention of concerned parents who have publicly expressed worry over continuing to send their children to school.
No one in state law enforcement has responded to inquiries regarding the source or cause of the recent trend. While arrests have been made regarding some threats, others are still in question. It is unclear whether this is solely a social trend or if it involves national-level actors, such as was claimed by the Madison County School System last week after being placed on high alert due to an online threat.
1819 News reached out to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency's Fusion Center, which monitors cybercrime, terrorism and more.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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