A possible threat of violence posted online led to an increased police presence at Highlands School on Monday.
According to Highlands Police Department reports, someone shared screen captures of messages posted on social media by a Highlands School student that depicted “Neo-Nazi ideals, and interests in mass violence.”
These screen captures were posted anonymously Sunday night to an Instagram account and YouTube and did not show any evidence of a direct threat made towards any specific school or organization.
“Later that evening, Highlands Police officers also received notice of a Snapchat post from an unknown source, which referenced some students’ ‘friend that is threatening to shoot the school up,’” a statement from Highlands PD read. “Officers immediately investigated this post and determined that none of the involved persons had directly heard of a threat.”
Due to the nature of the posts and reported possible threat, Highlands School officials contacted the parents of the student who was believed to have made the posts and informed them that the student was not to come into school, pending an investigation of the posts and content.
The following morning, the Highlands Police Department and the Macon County Sheriff’s Office posted extra officers inside and around Highlands School to help and ensure student and faculty safety. The investigation into the social media posts and the reported threat is still ongoing by both law enforcement and school officials.