Augusta school targeted in hoax calls across Georgia claiming active shooter
A hoax on Wednesday sent Augusta police and emergency workers to Westside High School. Westside and multiple other schools throughout Georgia were targeted as part of a hoax claiming active shooters were at the schools.
A potential threat against the school was called in to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, according to a news release from the Richmond County School System.
Police scanners in Richmond County falsely reported five people were shot.
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“The call used the same message sent in threats determined to be unsubstantiated in other Georgia school districts this morning,” according to the news release. “We take all threats seriously. Out of an abundance of caution, the school is on lockdown status while law enforcement agencies provide a full response.”
Dozens of scared and anxious parents were held at the Red Wing Rollerway parking lot around the corner from Westside. They were a safe distance from the school, but still within eye-sight of the heavy number of law enforcement officers going in and out of the building.
Starting at about noon, parents were allowed to enter the school grounds and pick up their children one at a time. Students like Malachi Brooks, 15, and Caleb Weathington, 14, came out of the school feeling fine, saying they didn’t see or hear anything suspicious except for a lot of officers once they were put on lockdown. Though they were generally calm, multiple other students came out in tears, and the boys’ parents were deeply upset by the situation and how it was handled.
“At the very least communicate with us,” said Jason Kennedy, Brooks’ father. ”I was up there for like five minutes. I didn’t know where my son was. I didn’t know if it was a shooting, nothing.”
Weathington’s mother Amanda said she also was only told about this incident through another person, not the school system. Coming out of the school, she said she felt nervous.
"He ain’t coming back tomorrow or Friday," she said.
Richmond County schools spokesperson Lynthia Ross said she and the sheriff’s office would be providing a joint statement. However, in an email sent at 1:15 p.m., sheriff's Sgt. Caleb Lee said they are deferring all information requests to the school system.
Similar school threats were made to 911 in multiple Georgia counties, including Chatham and Glynn. News reports noted that fake threats recently were made against schools in Florida, South Carolina and Alabama.
"Rest assured, for the criminals who orchestrated these hoaxes, we will go after them with every single resource available," noted Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a tweet. "The FBI is actively investigating these acts of domestic terrorism, and we will continue to diligently work with them to see these culprits are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
The Columbia County School System released a statement Wednesday afternoon saying it is aware of fake threats being made in school districts across the state, but no threats have been made against any of its schools.
“At this time, Columbia County School District Police are in contact with local and state law enforcement agencies as they continue their investigation into the hoax,” according to the news release.
The school system said school operations would continue as normal, but local law enforcement is providing increased patrols in and around school campuses.
Sheriff Alfonzo Williams with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office said his department also ramped up law enforcement presence at Burke County schools.
Savannah High School was evacuated Wednesday morning after false reports circulated that six staffers and students had been shot. Brunswick High School in Glynn County also went into lockdown after receiving reports of a possible threat. Both threats were confirmed as hoaxes.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is "aware of reports" of the incidents along the coast, according to Nelly Miles, director of the public and governmental affairs for GBI.
"At this point, the GBI is on standby with investigative teams ready to assist," Miles wrote in an email to the Savannah Morning News. "GISAC (state fusion center) is also working closely with federal agencies to monitor activity.”
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Westside High in Augusta part of hoax calls claiming active shooter
