Jackson County officials are alerted to more social media threats against schools

Jackson County's law enforcement is dealing with more alleged social media threats against their schools, following last week's deadly school shootings in Barrow County.

 

On Wednesday, September 11, 2024, an investigation was opened on another student who sent a Snap Chat to a student at Legacy Knoll Middle School, in reference to a threatening message, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office Facebook page later in the day.

 

An unidentified student was interviewed, charged and detained at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center Wednesday. Sheriff Janis Mangum says their department has now completed 13 juvenile complaint forms against students since September 4. Four have been detained and several have had Disruption of Public Schools charges filed and others were charged with Terroristic Threats and Acts.

 

Sheriff Mangum says that when a juvenile is charged, they notify the Department of Juvenile Justice and it is determined by that department if the juvenile will be detained.  They continue to investigate the cases and charge when the evidence to do so is available.

 

Sheriff Mangum adds that her deputies have repeatedly asked for parents to talk to their students about the seriousness of the threats that are being made involving their schools.

 

Citizens are encouraged to notify their local law enforcement agencies of any suspicious persons, crimes or other relevant information by calling 911 or the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at (706) 367-8718.