A Maynard Jackson High School student has been charged with making terroristic threats that put the school in a “soft lockdown” for three days.
According to a statement from Atlanta Public Schools, the Grant Park high school had received emailed threats on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.
While the statement didn’t elaborate on the threats, parents on social media indicated that it was bomb threats. “Soft lockdown” limited movement throughout the school and forced students to eat lunch in their classrooms.
From the APS statement:
A thorough, coordinated investigation involving Atlanta Public Schools Police, Atlanta Police Homeland Security Section, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has resulted in a Maynard Jackson student being charged with terroristic threats, harassing communications, and disrupting public schools. This student will be referred to the school district’s office of student discipline for further disciplinary action, and the investigation will continue to determine if any other individuals are involved.
The statement also said that tips and information about the threats were provided using APS’s “Say Something Anonymous” system to assist law enforcement with the case.
The threats of violence at Maynard Jackson High came amid ongoing bomb threats to historically Black colleges and universities in Atlanta and around the country. The FBI is investigating the threats as potential hate crimes.
On Tuesday, Spelman College cancelled classes and closed the campus after receiving its third bomb threat this year.