Threat Against S.C. High School Posted on Facebook

Feb. 03--Despite rumors about a Facebook post that someone was going to open fire at South Aiken High School on Thursday, police say there were no incidents at the school.

Aiken Public Safety, working in conjunction with state agents, sent a number of officers to the school Wednesday to investigate the contents that surfaced that day when a student noticed the Facebook post.

Aiken Public Safety officers were attending a funeral for an officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty over the weekend and, because of manpower issues, called on state agents to assist with the investigation.

The school and the police worked together to investigate and discuss the issue.

South Aiken High School Principal Bryan Skipper said calls from parents started Wednesday afternoon, indicating rumors from students on Facebook that "something was going to happen today (Thursday)," he said. "There were no specifics, no details -- only that someone was going to shoot up the school."

Because the situation caused such a stir, Skipper said, extra law enforcement was present at the school Thursday.

He said he also sent out an automated call to all parents and talked to students, stressing that when rumors are spread without any actual information, "you create more of a problem," he said. "You add to the chaos."

In situations like this, social media as a communications tool doesn't really help, Skipper said. Some parents were still calling his office Thursday, indicating that their children were still contacting them about rumors they had heard.

"If students are aware of any credible information, they should report it to school personnel so we can act on it appropriately," Skipper said.

Skipper said he had not checked overall attendance Thursday. However, attendance at lunch appeared normal.

Police said they began to follow the electronic feed on Facebook and made a copy of the threat. They did not release the name of the student whose Facebook feed generated the concern and said they would discuss possible charges as the investigation proceeds.

There were no injuries or incidents reported at the school, said Aiken Public Safety Lt. David Turno.

"We did have a number of additional officers at the school, just as a precaution," the lieutenant said.

Karen Daily, a graduate of USC, has been the crime reporter at the Aiken Standard for seven years. She has reported here since 2001. Senior writer Rob Novit, a journalist for the past 41 years, joined the Aiken Standard staff in 2001. He covers education news and general assignments.

Copyright 2012 - Aiken Standard, S.C.