Two teenagers have been arrested following investigations into online threats made against three
Hall County schools, one day after similar incidents regarding schools in Gainesville and Jackson County and the confiscation of a gun from a middle schooler in south Georgia.
HCSO NEWS RELEASE:
“Throughout the day and evening Thursday, September 5, Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO)
personnel, including patrol deputies, school resource officers (SROs) and Criminal Investigations
Bureau (CIB) detectives, fielded dozens of reports from citizens concerned about online posts
threatening violence against multiple schools in the Hall County School District. Even though the
threats were determined to be hoaxes, investigators were able to locate two suspects responsible
for creating and sharing threats to online platforms.
Jaymon Alan Justice, 17, of Flowery Branch, (pictured) was arrested Thursday night at his residence and
charged as an adult with terroristic threats and acts and disruption or interference with operation
of public schools, both misdemeanor offenses. Investigators determined Justice had edited a social
media post referencing a threat at another school outside of Hall County and tagged the location of
Cherokee Bluff High School. He then shared the post to Snapchat. At last check, Justice remains in
the Hall County Jail with a bond of $2,600.
The other suspect is a 13-year-old male who was charged as a juvenile. The investigation
determined the teen shared an Instagram message indicating he would perform an act of violence
at Johnson High School and South Hall Middle School. The juvenile offender was taken into custody
without incident at his residence. He was transported to the Regional Youth Detention Center
(RYDC) in Gainesville to face juvenile complaints of terroristic threats and acts and disruption or
interference with operation of public schools.
“It is disheartening that anyone would threaten a school, but beyond that, it is infuriating that these
threats – hoax or not – come on the heels of the horrific attack that happened this week at Apalachee
High School,” said Sheriff Gerald Couch. “I commend our community members for staying vigilant
and alerting law enforcement when they see something suspicious. I assure everyone that we will
do everything we can to find those responsible for spreading unnecessary fear, especially in our
schools.” “
Hall County Schools Supt. Will Schofield alerted parents to what was going on about 7:45 Thursday via a video message.
In part, according to a transcript provided by the school system Friday morning, he said:
“Please, talk to your children and let them know that these types of threats on social media are not funny, cute, or harmless. They will be dealt with in the harshest of terms, and individuals responsible will face felony charges before the end of the day.
Once again, I appeal to our parents: please talk to your children and ask them to stay off social media regarding any issues related to school violence.”
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Similar incidents and arrests have occurred since the Apalachee massacre regarding Gainesville and Jackson County schools. You’ll find details on those elsewhere on this site.)
Meanwhile, Georgia News Network reports a middle school student is accused of bringing a gun to campus in south Georgia. The weapon was discovered at Macintyre Park Middle School in Thomasville Thursday.