11-year-old in Washington Co. arrested, charged with Terroristic Threats

SANDERSVILLE, Ga. (WJBF) – On the evening of September 17th, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a tip concerning a bomb threat directed at T.J. Elder Middle School, which had been circulating on social media.

In collaboration with the Sandersville Police Department and the Washington County Board of Education Police, our team promptly launched an investigation.

Within an hour of the initial report, law enforcement identified and questioned the suspect, an 11-year-old, 6th grade student at T.J. Elder Middle School.

Officials say that juvenile has since been arrested and charged with Terroristic Threats and Acts, Felony and Criminal Attempt to Disrupt a Public School.

Sheriff Joel Cochran says, “We want to assure the community that there is no known ongoing threat to the school or its students. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office, alongside our law enforcement partners and school officials remain dedicated to maintaining the safety and security of our schools. We take all threats to the safety of our students and schools very seriously. The rapid response of our investigators and partner agencies demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that our children are protected at all times.”

This is just one of numerous recent alleged threats from students in the CSRA and around the country:

• 9/05/24 – Gainesville Police charge 14 year-old in school threats case
• 9/10/24 – Glascock Co. Sheriff’s Office receive reports of school threats made by students
• 9/11/24 – ‘I’m going to be a school shooter’: 2 preteen girls jailed after alleged threat
• 9/16/24 – 11-year-old charged after making threats on social media, Aiken Co. Officials say
• 9/16/24 – 12-year-old charged after allegedly being involved in threats to Aiken Co. Schools
• 9/17/24 – GBI: 12-year-old from Texas charged for making school bomb threats in Georgia
• 9/17/24 – SLED: 21 juveniles charged in S.C. for school threats since Apalachee
• 9/18/24 – Florida sheriff fed up with school shooting hoaxes posts boy’s mugshot to social media

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