VALDOSTA – An 11-year-old juvenile from Valdosta Middle School was arrested for making a school shooting threat on social media.

Arrested: Juvenile female, 11 years of age, Valdosta resident

On September 6, 2024, at approximately 8:00 am., the Valdosta Police Department School Resource Officer at Valdosta Middle School received information that there was a threat on social media that someone was going to do a school shooting.  The officer found an email address that was connected to the threat.  Through investigation and assistance from personnel with the Valdosta City Schools, the email address was found to belong to an 11-year-old female, who was enrolled at the middle school.  The
student was in a classroom and removed from the class by school personnel.

The student’s mother responded to the school and the officer interviewed the juvenile.  During the interview, the juvenile stated that she was on a social media site, with other students. She said that she did make a comment about doing a school shooting, but she meant it as a joke. 

The juvenile was arrested for terroristic threats (felony).  The Department of Juvenile Justice was contacted and advised that the juvenile could be released to her mother.

“We take all threats to our schools seriously, especially on the heels of what occurred Wednesday at Apalachee High School. 

These threats are not jokes, and our department will take appropriate action.” Said Chief Leslie Manahan.

If anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.