Four Limestone County students arrested for threats

LIMESTONE COUNTY, Alabama – A total of four Limestone County students were arrested this week for making threats against schools or students. On Wednesday, students from Elkmont High School and Clements High School were arrested. On Thursday, students from Tanner High School and Clements High School were arrested.

Randy Shearouse, superintendent of Limestone County Schools, explained how seriously the district takes these threats. “We will look into every threat or rumor and make sure we investigate them. It's taken a lot of time this week to investigate every rumor we've received, every threat. But I think it's worth it. It's something you have to do. Even if it's something that someone says casually or something that someone heard in the restroom, you have to investigate it and make sure you investigate it.”

The most recent arrest involved a threat posted on Snapchat that officials said was directed at students at Clements High School.

Prior to the fourth incident, Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin posted the following statement on Facebook, addressing students, families and the community:

On Thursday, September 12, 2024, the school was threatened by a Tanner High School student. SRO Townsend was immediately notified and arrested the student. Probable cause was determined to arrest the student for second degree terroristic threatening. This is the third arrest of a Limestone County student making a threat this week. These threats must stop! We remain committed to investigating every threat and taking the appropriate action when the perpetrator is identified. We will not tolerate these threats in our community.

Parents, please talk to your children about the seriousness of their words and actions. We know these conversations are difficult, but they must be had. Tips to consider include:

1. Talk to your child about his feelings. These threats often cause fear and worry in your child. Listen to him and try to understand him.

2. Explain that it is normal to feel anxious when you are concerned about your own safety and that of your friends.

3. To ease their fears, it's important to provide accurate information that puts everything into context. This will help them better understand the situation and avoid unnecessary panic. Discuss safety protocols and explain that law enforcement is constantly monitoring these threats to ensure their safety.

4. Limit social media use and exposure. Increased attention to processing these threats can lead to ongoing distress even after the threat has passed.

And please stop posting threats on social media. By continuing to share these posts, you continue to fuel the fear that the perpetrator intended to inflict on our students. Almost every threat we have received on social media has originated from another state and was posted to cause panic when shared nationwide via social media. Rest assured, should the threat originate here, we will find and arrest them, as we did with these three students this week. Your children's safety is our top priority and we will continue to take all necessary steps to ensure it.

On September 12, 2024 at 2:09 p.m., a tip was submitted to investigators via email to [email protected]. The threat was made via Snapchat and directed at students at Clements High School. During the investigation, the suspect was identified. While searching for him, a guardian called and reported that the juvenile had confessed and wanted to speak with investigators. The student was located at home and taken into custody at 5:25 p.m. Investigators found reasonable probable cause to arrest the juvenile for second degree terroristic threatening. This is the fourth arrest for threatening our schools this week.

“Thank you to those of you who reported this threat to us. We will continue to arrest these offenders until each is held accountable for their crimes. If you threaten our children in Limestone County, we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.” ~Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin

An Elkmont High School student was arrested Wednesday after allegedly threatening other students. The arrest was made on a charge of second-degree terroristic threatening, according to the Limestone County Sheriff's Office.

Limestone County Sheriff Joshua McLaughlin issued the following statement on the matter:

“A person commits the crime of terroristic threatening in the second degree when he or she makes a credible threat, based on an objective evaluation, to commit a violent crime against a person or to damage property through the use of a bomb, explosive, weapon of mass destruction, firearm, deadly weapon, or other mechanism. We will not tolerate these threats in our community, and when we identify the individuals making these threats, we will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

McLaughlin thanked the students who provided information about the threat.

“We take all threats at school seriously and will continue to hold those who put the safety of our children at risk accountable,” he said. “It's important to remember that if you notice something troubling, don't hesitate to speak up.”

The incident is one of several threats made against local schools this week. Boaz High School and some schools in Madison County have received particular attention after being linked to threats against schools across the country in recent days. Although the threats were not credible, school administrators were taking no chances.

A student at Muscle Shoals Middle School was taken into custody after allegedly making terrorist threats against his school.