Police: 16-year-old from Baker County arrested for threatening school

BAKER COUNTY, Georgia – The Baker County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) announced in a Facebook post Wednesday that its investigators arrested a 16-year-old high school student for allegedly threatening a school shooting.

Over the past week, numerous law enforcement agencies on the First Coast have been investigating similar incidents involving written threats to carry out school shootings. Jacksonville Sheriff TK Waters also announced Wednesday that five students were recently arrested after making threats against schools. The youngest of them was 11 years old.

The BCSO post states that the 16-year-old sent a message via a social media platform announcing that there would be a shooting at “multiple” schools in Baker County.

The post goes on to say that school administration and BCSO were notified of the student's messages on Wednesday and an investigation was immediately launched, leading to the student's “swift arrest.”

“Investigators continue to investigate this case and arrest ANYONE who threatens the safety of our children, staff, or law enforcement in the Baker County School District,” the post said. “Sheriff Rhoden would like to stress that any threats or messages of a similar nature made with the intent to create fear, intimidate, or even serve as a 'hoax' will be taken seriously and dealt with swiftly in accordance with the law.”