Eleven-year-old arrested for threatening to carry out a shooting spree at VMS

VALDOSTA – An 11-year-old Valdosta Middle School student was arrested for threatening a school shooting on social media.

Arrested: Juvenile, 11 years old, resident of Valdosta

On September 6, 2024, at approximately 8:00 a.m., the Valdosta Police Department School Resource Officer at Valdosta Middle School received information that there was a threat on social media that someone was going to commit a school shooting. The officer found an email address associated with the threat. Through investigation and with the assistance of Valdosta City Schools staff, it was determined that the email address belonged to an 11-year-old girl enrolled at the middle school. The
The student was in a classroom and was removed from class by school staff.

The student's mother came to the school and the officer questioned the teen. During the interview, the teen stated that she was on a social media site with other students. She said that she made a comment about a school shooting, but that she meant it as a joke.

The teenager was arrested for terrorist threats (crime). The youth welfare office was contacted and informed that the teenager could be handed over to her mother.

“We take all threats to our schools seriously, especially after Wednesday’s events at Apalachee High School.

“These threats are no joke and our department will take appropriate action,” said Police Chief Leslie Manahan.

If anyone has additional information about this or other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department's Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the Crime Tip Line at 229-293-3091, or submit a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.