Local schools deal with new outbreak of threats, rumors

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Richmond County high schools have dealt with at least two threats this week, with one leading to the arrest of a 17-year-old.

Meanwhile on Thursday, a rumor on social media created a stir. Due to a medical emergency, there was a stretcher at Murphey Middle School. A student took a photo of it, claiming someone had been stabbed. The school principal said there had been no stabbing.

In the Columbia County School District, there was an investigation Thursday after a Grovetown Middle School teacher received a report from a student who overheard a threat. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the student who made the threat had no access to firearms, and has now been charged with terroristic threats. The student will be held able according to the Code of Conduct, the district said.

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On Wednesday, T.W. Josey High School went on lockdown for a time after a threat message was sent via Airdrop in the cafeteria. The campus was cleared and back to normal by 3:30 p.m.

Earlier in the week, Taveon E. Kennedy was arrested on suspicion of terroristic threats and acts as well as having a weapon on school grounds at Cross Creek High, according to authorities.

According to an arrest warrant, he stated while conversing with a Richmond County school system officer that a particular person “needed to die” and that the person was lucky Kennedy did not have his gun on him.

In addition, Kennedy walked around the school’s campus stating that he wanted to shoot a teacher, bring a bomb to the school and blow up the school, according to the arrest warrant.

During an istrative search, Kennedy was found to have a silver metal knife and ten 9 mm cartridges, according to the arrest warrant.

Kennedy was arrested Monday and booked into Richmond County jail.

Other incidents

Oct. 19: At Glenn Hills High School, there was an altercation involving two students and as the incident was being addressed, one of the students was observed with a knife, school officials said.
Oct. 13, a Sue Reynolds Elementary student began making threats against the school while on a bus, school officials reported. No weapons were found and no students or staff were believed to be in danger.
Oct. 12: A student brought a small pocketknife to Wilkinsion Gardens Elementary in Richmond County and took it out to show other students during a fire drill. The teacher saw the item and immediately secured it.