More juvenile arrests made in Gwinnett and Newton due to threats of school shootings

Middle-schooler in Newton County makes in-person threat to staff and students

Photo courtesy of Gwinnett County Police Department

Gwinnett and Newton County again have reported arrests of juveniles as fake threats continue to come into schools in the wake of the Sept. 4 school shooting at Apalachee High School that resulted in the deaths of two teachers, two students and injuries to many others.

Last week, following an investigation by many local law enforcement officials, an arrest was made of ‘A’Davion Clark, 17, of Madison, Ga. by the Madison Police Department for threats against Social Circle High School following the school shooting. In addition, both Gwinnett and Newton County announced arrests of juveniles for making threats against their respective school districts.

“On September 6, the Gwinnett County Police Department was alerted about a potentially threatening social media post by Gwinnett County School Resource Officers. The social media post outlined a potential threat aimed at a Gwinnett County school. Gwinnett County Police Intelligence Analysts, alongside detectives and members of our Situational Awareness and Crime Response Center, were able to obtain account holder information and through a series of investigative methods, identify the juvenile suspect,” Gwinnett County Police Department reported in a press release. “An interview with the suspect was conducted, and even though the threat was made as a ‘hoax,’ the suspect was taken into custody for felony terroristic threats and transported to a metro Atlanta Youth Detention Center.”

Newton County announced the arrest of a 13-year-old on Sept. 5, for making threats the day following the shooting in Barrow County and Monday Newton County announced the arrest on Sept. 6 of a 12-year-old Clements Middle School student for 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.”

Law enforcement officials are urging the seriousness of these actions.

“Let us take time and encourage our youth not to make threats and not to get themselves entangled with the law. Entanglement with the law can and will follow you throughout your adult life,” Newton County Sheriff Ezell Brown said. “I urge you please refrain from Facebook and focus on your textbook.”

Again, all law enforcement officials urge the public to “say something if you see something.”