By Carol Robinson & Howard Koplowitz
A 13-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl and are in custody in connection with alleged threats of gun violence at Montgomery Public Schools.
An 11-year-old girl was detained and charged with making terroristic threats before being released to a guardian, said Montgomery police Maj. Saba Coleman. Keep Watching Bothell child sex assault suspect appears in court Bothell child sex assault suspect appears in court.
The male teen was arrested Sunday night by the Montgomery Police Department’s Special Operations Unit and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, said Coleman. The teen girl was arrested Monday.
Further information was not released on the 11-year-old girl’s case.
On Sunday, Montgomery Public School city school officials said they were aware of social media posts suggesting potential threats.
“We take these matters very seriously and have activated all safety protocols, including working with local law enforcement to identify those involved and take appropriate action,’’ the statement read.
“Schools will continue to operate on their regular schedules, with our priority being the safety of students and staff. We appreciate the community’s prompt reporting of this issue to both local authorities and the school system.”
Coleman said upon learning of the social media posts – which included threats to Bellingrath Middle School and McKee Middle School– an investigation was immediately launched.
The young teens are charged with terrorist threat. They are being held in the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility.
“Threats of gun violence in our school system, whether online or in person, are treated with utmost seriousness by MPD,’’ said Interim Police Chief James N. Graboys. “Our investigators worked diligently and closely with the Montgomery Public School System and local and federal partners to identify and apprehend the individuals responsible for these threats.
“The Montgomery Police Department wants to reassure the community that the safety and security of our schools and students is our top priority,’’ Graboys said. “We will continue working tirelessly to prevent and address potential threats to our educational institutions. We thank the public for their vigilance and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe learning environment for all.
At a news conference Monday with law enforcement and education officials, Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown urged students to reread the district’s student handbook and student code of conduct in wake of the threats.
“As mentioned, social media is a powerful tool but also a dangerous place to make dangerous decisions – bad decisions,” he said. “It’s crucial that students understand the impacts of their online behavior and adhere to the school district’s social media policy.”
Brown cautioned students to “please think before you post.
“Every post, every comment, every image has the potential to be seen by a wide audience,” he said, including college admissions officers, coaches and potential future employers.
Alleged school shooting threats were also being investigated in Elmore, Autauga and Etowah counties.
Prattville police said they were aware of threats but said they did not believe they were credible.
“We are aware of many, many screenshots floating around and ae taking our kids safety as priory #1 today,’’ according to a Prattville police department statement issued Monday. “That being said, any further posts being made that are attempting to circumvent the safety measures by threatening further violent acts to our kids will not be tolerated and posters will be investigated and prosecuted.”
Also Monday, both Center Point High School and Clay-Chalkville High School in Jefferson County were mentioned in a threatening message on social media.
There was no indication this was a credible threat and the school day has continued as normal, school spokesman John Huddleston said.
Both schools have notified their parents of this information.
In Southside, in Etowah County, a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody Monday morning and charged with making a terroristic threat after he allegedly made a threat to Southside High School.
The teen was placed in juvenile detention.
In Birmingham, police were investigating an alleged threat at Huffman High School. Schools spokeswoman Sherrel Wheeler Stewart said regular activities are continue and the security team is follow protocol for high alert.
Last week saw a flurry of similar reports across the state, which is not uncommon following a high-profile school shooting, the most recent one taking place on Sept. 4 when a 14-year-old shot and killed two teachers and two students at a Georgia high school.
In Dothan, a student was arrested after an alleged threat made on social media of a school shooting at Dothan Preparatory Academy, authorities announced Friday morning.
On Thursday, Eufaula City Schools canceled all classes and after-school activities Thursday after receiving a “threat of violence,” officials said.
It was unclear what type of threat was made, but officials said it was targeted at the district’s high school.
Also Thursday, Walker County officials announced an “increased security presence” at Oakman area schools Thursday following threats made on social media.
