DENHAM SPRINGS — The arrest of a 13-year-old student from Denham Springs comes after officials say there was a potential threat to Live Oak High School in Watson.
It comes after the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office received a tip from the FBI in reference to a post on Snapchat.
In the post, LPSO says there was a picture of a “male juvenile holding a weapon standing in front of a door. The caption on the photo stated potential harm to Live Oak High School,” which led to the arrest.
That’s when an FBI agent was able to find an address for the teenager in Denham Springs.
The 13-year-old juvenile was arrested overnight and is now in custody in the Florida Parishes Juvenile Detention Center. He is charged with one count of terrorizing.
LPSO says the arrested teenager was not in the actual picture posted to Snapchat. Instead, it appears the picture was found on social media and the Denham Springs student shared it.
LPSO has warned the public of posts circulating on social media with the subject matter being a planned school shooting. In fact, it’s a national problem where law enforcement all around the country are finding the same post and investigating. Those posts however are not new.
Ascension Parish School officials advised all parents on Friday morning of the posts circulating on social media and announced they have a “heightened alert” at all schools.
There are non-specific social media school threats circulating across several school districts. Although we do not believe we have any credible threats, we are working with law enforcement and have placed our schools on a heightened alert.
Please know, that we have several safety measures in place on our campuses to restrict access to our buildings, and we believe our schools are safe. We take the safety of our students and staff very seriously and are thankful for our law enforcement partners who work closely with us to keep our schools secure.
In the Livingston Parish post however, it was allegedly a new and current post. LPSO strongly advises students not to share anything to social media. Instead, report it to law enforcement immediately.
“Let it be known that these posts/comments are taken very seriously. We have a ZERO TOLERANCE policy when it comes to our children’s safety. We are watching. Our local law enforcement partners are watching – including the FBI. Parents, you really need to talk to your children about what they are posting. AGAIN, WE HAVE A ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY IN PLACE,” said LPSO Sheriff Jason Ard in a statement.
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