ORHS students charged with terrorism, threats of mass violence

The three Oak Ridge High School students who allegedly posted shooting threats against the school on social media have been charged with terrorism, threats of mass violence on school property, and for filing false reports.

Two of the three students have also been charged with conspiracy.

All three were taken into custody Wednesday afternoon and the Anderson County Juvenile Court authorized that they be transported to the Richard L. Bean Detention Facility in Knox County, according to District Attorney General Dave Clark. In a news release issued late Wednesday afternoon, he explained the juveniles could have a detention hearing as early as Thursday afternoon.

"The message should be loud and clear to adults and juveniles alike that making threats over social media or in any way that are directed at our schools, children or staff will not be tolerated," Clark said in a news release. "This is a very serious matter and the law enforcement community and the judicial system in Anderson County will respond accordingly. We are concerned to see that two such incidents have occurred within the same week."

The district attorney general pointed out that educational time was lost and students, parents, teachers and staff were understandably upset about the threats.

"The Oak Ridge Police Department directed staff to immediately provide security at multiple schools and for the Criminal Investigation Division to find those responsible. Understandably, many parents responded quickly to remove their students from school," he stated.

"The inconvenience, cost and mental anguish caused by these incidents is of great concern," Clark stated. "This has touched the lives of many people. Other crime victims in unrelated cases may have had justice delayed due to the re-direction of police resources."

Oak Ridge Schools

As reported earlier Wednesday afternoon, prior to the news of the three students being charged and taken into custody, the school system sent out a message to students' parents and guardians at 3:15 p.m. Wednesday telling them that the three students were restricted from attending school.

"The actions of these students have created a major disruption that will be addressed with severe consequences," stated the message from Oak Ridge Schools' officials.

"The positive news is that none of these students had access to weapons nor did they have plans to harm students or staff. Their sole purpose was to disrupt classes, create fear and cause a school closure, which is disappointing."

"Moving forward, we will continue to address all threats as being serious and will immediately reach out to the Oak Ridge Police Department for support. The ORPD has done an excellent job and will continue to investigate and assess the credibility of such threats. Regardless of intent, any student making a threat will be expelled, pending due process, and will face criminal charges," the message stated.

Parents and guardians were advised to contact the individual schools' administration or guidance department if they had further questions about the threats.

The first threat on Monday, posted to Snapchat, allegedly involved two of the students. The second threat on Tuesday reportedly involved a third student.

ORHS was on a Level 3 lockdown for most of the school-day Monday, and on Tuesday more police were at the school and campus for security reasons.

Oak Ridge police

In his news release, Clark stated, "I am very grateful and very pleased with the fast, professional and coordinated work of the Oak Ridge Police Department and the Oak Ridge Schools to protect our schools and find those responsible. The investigative work done in this case is very impressive."

The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith can be contacted at (865) 220-5514. Email her at dsmith@oakridger.com and follow her on Twitter @ridgernewsed.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: ORHS students charged with terrorism, threat of mass violence