Breaking: Juvenile arrested following threats against Social Circle High School

This follows last week’s arrest of a 17-year-old from Madison, GA

SOCIAL CIRCLE, GA (Sept. 12, 2024) – On Thursday, Social Circle Police Department announced an additional arrest in connection to last week’s social media threat targeting Social Circle High School.

“A juvenile suspect has been taken into custody following a thorough investigation into the incident. This latest arrest follows the department’s ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and the broader community,” Capt. Samantha Rose of SCPD said. “The initial threat, which was posted on social media, caused concern among parents and school officials, prompting an immediate response from law enforcement.”

SCPD Chief Jason Guest announced last week that, with the help of the Madison Police Department, A’Davion Clark, 17, of Madison, had been taken into custody and was currently being held in the Morgan County Jail facing charges of terroristic threats and disturbing a public school. At the time, authorities said the investigation was ongoing.

“We take any threats to our schools very seriously,” Rose said. “Our department has worked diligently to identify those responsible, and we want to reassure the community that the safety of our students remains a top priority.”

Rose said the arrested juvenile will be processed through the juvenile justice system. No further details will be released due to the individual’s age. She said the investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to monitor the situation and assess any additional risks. SCPD emphasized the importance of community involvement and vigilance in identifying potential threats and thanked the community for its continued support.

In light of this arrest, Social Circle City Schools notified parents, school board members and faculty of the arrest, telling them that the student was arrested following an ongoing investigation into a photo that circulated last week which posed a threat to Social Circle High School.

“As promised, all threats have been taken seriously and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement to ensure the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families. We appreciate the police department’s diligence in their investigation, and the student in question was taken into custody,” Kari Willis, SCCS communications and media manager, said. “As we continue to prioritize safety, we want to remind everyone of the importance of ‘See Something, Say Something.’ If you or your child receive any concerning information, please immediately report it to a teacher or school administrator. This proactive approach resulted in arrests thus far, and it will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of our schools.”

Since the tragic school shooting at Apalachee High School on Sept. 4 that resulted in four deaths and nine injuries, law enforcement has had to respond to a slew of threats against schools that followed in its wake. Gwinnett County has arrested at least two students and Newton County three, one as young as 11. In one instance, a 12-year-old Clements Middle School student was accused of making in-person threats toward students and staff.

All these juveniles face charges of making terroristic threats and acts and are subsequently held in the juvenile court system even if the threats turn out to be fake or considered “just a hoax.”