Arrests made within Dougherty County School System after gun violence threats to schools

ALBANY – Twelve Dougherty County School System students were arrested this week in connection to multiple gun violence threats made against DCSS schools, Superintendent Kenneth Dyer and DCSS Police Chief Troy Conley announced during a news conference Friday.

Each student, ages 12 to 15 years old, has been charged with a felony count of terroristic threats and acts, with additional charges pending, Dyer said. Each student also faces administrative disciplinary action through the schools.

Conley said at least five threats were made over a period of days – from Sept. 8 to Thursday night at about 6:30 p.m. Some of the threats had multiple offenders. The two threats made Thursday night are currently being investigated.

The influx comes after a shooting at Apalachee High School in north Georgia’s Winder on Sept. 4 during which four people were killed and nine injured. School districts across Georgia, including southwest Georgia, received violent threats and released statements throughout the week.

Conley said local and school law enforcement agencies take each threat seriously no matter how big or small they may appear to be. He said the police department often sees some type of influx of threats after a national incident or mass shooting. He called these situations “copycat offenders.”

Schools within DCSS were on “soft lockdown” throughout the week, including Friday. This means students continued changing classes and moving within the school buildings but had restricted outside access. Schools also had an increased law enforcement presence from the DCSS Police Department, Dougherty County Police Department and Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office. Conley said these added precautions will continue into next week

Conley said DCSS is working with the GBI and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the threats. Dyer said the school system takes its obligation to provide a safe and secure learning environment seriously.

“Threats are not jokes,” he said. “Threats are not funny. We would investigate and move forward with criminal charges on anyone who makes threats against our school community.”

He encouraged parents to speak with their children about the severity of the consequences they will face if they make violent threats.

Staff Photo: Lucille Lannigan
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