WAYNESBORO—A Waynesboro child has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats, one misdemeanor count of terroristic threats and one felony count of criminal use of a communications facility, after posting a threat on social media.
According to Waynesboro Police, officers received a complaint late Tuesday about a social media post that showed a picture of a masked subject with handgun. The message stated that students should not go to school.
An investigation was initiated, and Waynesboro Area School District officials were notified of the threat and, out of an abundance of caution, closed schools on Wednesday, June 1.
Investigators determined that the account from which the threat emanated was fictitious and that the individual named on the account was not involved in creating or disseminating the threatening message, according to Police Chief James Sourbier.
Late Wednesday, WPD officers, assisted by investigators from the Franklin County District Attorney’s Office, executed a search warrant at a residence on Harrison Avenue in the borough and a 14-year-old male was identified as the individual who created the fictitious account and disseminated the threat.
The juvenile was remanded to detention and is being held pending a hearing.
