A 17-year-old Covington High School student was arrested Wednesday evening (March 16) 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 observed a SnapChat post the 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.
After being made aware of the posts, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s deputies went to the teen’s Covington-area residence. He admitted to making the SnapChat post but told deputies it was misinterpreted.
The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested the teen, and he was booked into the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center on one count of L.R.S. 14:40.1 Terrorizing.
Extra law enforcement personnel were on hand Thursday morning at Covington High School and at nearby Fontainebleau High School to provide additional security and to ease concerns of parents and students 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 and all 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.”