‘Not a joke’: 21 Teens Arrested in Connection to School Threats in South Carolina
Dozens of Threats Made Across the State
After the devastating school shooting in Georgia, an alarming number of school threats have been reported across South Carolina. Records show the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has been notified of over 60 threats aimed at numerous schools in 23 counties beginning from Sept. 4th. Most of these threats seem to be exchanged between students through social media or other digital messaging platforms.
Last week, Horry County Schools confirmed that it had been among the districts wrestling with an onslaught of threat rumors circulated on social networking sites.
The Role of Social Media
Most of these social media posts containing threats were manipulated to change the school’s name, and later redistributed on various virtual platforms. In our age of rapidly progressing technology, the ability to alter messages can make tracking the source of such threats a daunting task for law enforcement agencies.
The Justice Response: 21 Teens Charged
Stemming from these threats, SLED has charged 21 teenagers. While we reached out to SLED for more information regarding if any of these arrests were made in Horry County or the Pee Dee, they did not have this data available.
“School threats are not a joke,” stated SLED Chief Mark Keel, emphasizing the gravity of these threats. “Law enforcement takes each threat earnestly, and one should understand that the repercussions of making these threats are serious.”
Further Proactive Measures: Engaging the Behavioral Science Unit
In addition to the arrests, SLED’s Behavioral Science Unit, a team specializing in psychological profiling and providing threat assessments, has been deployed to aid in six school threat probes in different counties across the state.
If You See Something, Say Something
Authorities strongly urge residents to report any school threats they encounter on social media immediately to law enforcement or by contacting 911. According to Horry County Schools, it is crucial not to repost any suspected threatening messages as this can do more harm than good.
Appeal to the Public
Law enforcement agencies, school authorities, and parents must work as a unified front against these threats to ensure the safety of our students is never compromised. In tackling this ongoing issue, open channels of communication and immediate reporting are vital.
Disclaimer
This article is purely informative and does not endorse or promote any news source, organization, or individual.
Author: STAFF HERE MYRTLE BEACH
The HERE Myrtle Beach Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Myrtle Beach community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Myrtle Beach Our team includes lifelong Myrtle Beach residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent developments along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s tourism and hospitality industry, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Coastal Carolina University programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
