DUNCAN, SC (FOX Carolina) -
Security has been increased at schools in Spartanburg County District 5 after two students at two schools made threats to hurt students and teachers.
Deputies said a 17-year-old student made a threat via Facebook on Monday, following an argument with his ex-girlfriend, who is a student at Byrnes Freshman Academy. Duncan police first began investigating the threat and called in the sheriff's office when they realized the student lives in the county.
According to sheriff's office reports, the teen said in the post that on "Zero day [he] would kill 42 students and eight teachers." He went on to say that he would use a 38-caliber handgun and a 12-gauge shotgun that were in his home, deputies said.
Upon learning of the threat, officials first called the teen's parents in to school, where they confirmed he had access to the weapons. Deputies said the school's administration suspended the student pending further investigation. They said they are treating this as a mental health issue, and are not releasing the teen's name or filing charges at this time.
According to a statement on the school district's website, a student at D.R. Hill Middle School also made a similar threat.
Superintendent Scott Turner said in the statement that additional law enforcement will be present at all schools in the district for the foreseeable future. He said officials will not tolerate threats of any kind and students who make them will be removed from school and face criminal prosecution.
