The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Covington High School student was arrested yesterday on terrorizing charges after making a threatening social media post.
An employee with the St. Tammany Parish School System and numerous parents contacted authorities after they discovered a Snapchat post the 17-year-old teen made referencing what appeared to be his plans to conduct a shooting at the school the next morning.
A screenshot of the Snapchat post was shared numerous times on Facebook according to the sheriff’s office.
After being made aware of the posts, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies went to the teen’s Covington-area home where the sheriff’s office says he admitted to making the Snapchat post but told deputies it was misinterpreted.
Deputies arrested the teen and booked him into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on one count of Terrorizing.
Extra deputies were on hand Thursday morning at Covington High School and at nearby Fontainebleau High School to provide additional security at those schools.
“We have made it very clear all threats will be investigated, and enforcement action will be taken if warranted,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “We will continue to work with our schools and investigate any threats at our schools. Parents, I urge you, to please speak with your children. Comments and threatening posts, even if made in a joking manner, are nothing to joke about and could lead to criminal charges.”
