Gun Talk Prompts Investigation at High School

A teenage dispute prompted a law enforcement investigation at South Point High School after deputies were shown Snapchat messages in which a student allegedly talked about getting into a gun cabinet and “bringing out the AR” if people showed up. After reviewing the messages and interviewing students, however, the school resource officer concluded there was no direct threat made against the school or a particular student. According to a Lawrence County Sheriff's Office report, the investigation began while a deputy was working a detail with the South Point Local School District. The deputy was called to the high school office after school officials learned about an argument involving students. One girl explained that she'd discovered her boyfriend had an ex-girlfriend who still attended South Point High School. According to the report, the two girls began arguing, and the ex-girlfriend allegedly threatened to “beat her ass.” The girl then told her boyfriend about the dispute. That's when the conversation became more concerning. According to the report, the boyfriend allegedly sent Snapchat messages talking about getting into a gun cabinet and saying that if people “pull up,” he would “bring out the AR.” The deputy contacted another school resource officer to gather information about the student and determine whether he was known to have access to firearms. The girl said she received the messages through Snapchat but wasn't sure whether her boyfriend actually had access to a gun or even exactly where he was living. Deputies obtained written statements from the students involved and photographed screenshots of the Snapchat conversation. Deputy: No Direct Threat Made After reviewing the messages, the investigating deputy said the language appeared to be more of a general or “blanket” statement about what the boy and/or his family would do if someone came to them, rather than a direct threat against another student. The report does not indicate that the student threatened to bring a gun to school or shoot anyone at the school. Still, given the reference to a gun cabinet and an AR, school officials and the Sheriff's Office agreed the incident needed to be documented. Another deputy was attempting to contact the boy and his family to make sure they understood that he could not continue making statements of that nature. No formal charges were filed in connection with the incident.

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