By Charles Shiver

ADEL, Ga. – Sheriff Doug Hanks reports that two students at Cook High School were arrested by Cook County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officers after threats were reported at Cook High School.

On October 8th, 2019, at approximately 8:05 a.m., Cook High School Administrators and the Cook County Sheriff’s Office SRO were alerted to the possibility of a student having a gun at school who had threatened to cause harm to students and faculty.

An immediate and thorough investigation was launched which identified the student and quickly determined that no firearm or immediate threat was located at the school.

The student, identified as a 16-year-old junior, was taken into custody by the Sheriff’s Office after it was determined that he had in fact made verbal threats to other students about intentions to “shoot up the school.”

The juvenile faces charges for Terroristic Threats and Acts and Disrupting a Public School. He was turned over to the custody of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice. He will also face disciplinary actions by the Cook County School System.

At approximately 10:45 a.m., administrators were made aware of a threat going around the high school on the social media application, Snapchat, directed at student witnesses who had reported the earlier verified threats.

Administrators and Cook Sheriff’s Office SROs investigated the new threats and arrested, JACOB BAXTER, 17, a Cook High Senior for Terroristic Threats and Acts and Disrupting a Public School. BAXTER was transported to the Cook County Jail where he was booked and currently remains as of the time of this release.

“My office and our partners at the Cook County School System do not take situations like this lightly,” stated Sheriff Doug Hanks. Hanks added, “The protection and safety of our children and school staff both to and from and while attending our schools is of paramount importance to us.”

Sheriff Hanks also wished to extend his gratitude to those who provided the information about the threats and to the school administration and school resource officers for their quick reaction in bringing the issue to a swift and safe conclusion.

ADEL, Ga. – Cook High School sent out a text message to students’ parents and guardians: “This morning rumors spread that there was a student with a gun. An upset student did make threats, but there was no weapon. All is well.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Tim Dixon confirmed that the 17-year-old student had been arrested and he also will face disciplinary action by the school system, including a tribunal proceeding, according to a report from The Adel News-Tribune.