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Boone County Sheriff’s office releases details of recent threats resulting in arrests at six area schools


NKyTribune staff

The Boone County Sheriff’s office has released information regarding recent school threats that have resulted in charges filed against students at six schools in the county.

The Sheriff’s office deemed it necessary, in light of the recent school shooting in Florida and the information, and misinformation, that has been disseminated throughout the region regarding the incidents.

Statement from Boone County Sheriff’ office:

In light of the most recent school shooting and the plethora of local social media posts concerning some factual incidents and many rumored and exaggerated renditions the Boone County Sheriff’s office, in an attempt to ease some parents’ minds, is setting the record straight by releasing what incidents we’ve investigated in the Boone County Schools lately.

Sheriff Michael A. Helmig wants every parent to know the Sheriff’s office scrutinizes every incident involving threats and unlawful behavior in Boone County schools.  Helmig has a zero tolerance and has instructed his deputies and school resource officers alike to charge anyone found to have violated the law when it comes to school conduct.

Between February 12 and 19, the Boone County Sheriff’s office *charged five students with Terroristic Threatening & Disorderly Conduct for their involvement in direct threats and creating alarm in our schools.

Parents of Boone County School children can rest assured all incidents and allegations are investigated.  The students need to know their actions carry consequences.  If what they do is a violation of a criminal law they will be charged in addition to what penalties the school board levies.

The following are excerpts from the “charges and post arrest complaint portion” of the police reports. Some information has been redacted to protect the identity of the minor students and other parties. All incidents listed here resulted in charges being filed against students:

Ockerman Middle School

On 2/16/2018 at approximately 1435 hours, Deputy Saunders was notified of an issue with a special needs child refusing to get on the school bus. The assistant and vice principal were handling that situation in the cafeteria and as a result had shut the cafeteria doors to keep the students from Drama Club and Ski Club from entering. The above juvenile, was in the hallway outside of the cafeteria and yelled out that there was a shooter in the cafeteria. This caused an extreme amount of alarm/panic with the other students who immediately started to text their parents the same thing. As a result Ockerman received an overwhelming amount of phone calls and emails about this false information. With the recent news of school shootings this statement induced panic and was completely unnecessary.

R.A. Jones Middle School

Above subject was speaking to a teacher, in the hallway at R.A. Jones Middle School around 0950 hours on February 19, 2018. (The teacher) asked the student how she was feeling since the above student was sick last week. She stated she was feeling pretty upset with everyone at school and she wanted to shoot up everyone here. Ms. XXX stated that was extremely inappropriate especially considering what happened last week. then stated “Gee I wonder why he did it.” She then stated ” I would shoot up all the students and all the teachers especially Ms.XXX . She would be the first one on my list.” Ms. then reported the incident to this deputy and the incident was immediately taken to Mr. Pastura, the school principal.

Cooper High School

On Jan 11th, 2018 there was a writing on the wall of the girls bathroom located in the 400 at Cooper High School it stated: “shooting blood” then on Feb 8th 2018 there was an incident in the girls bathroom stating that chlorine bombs shooting kill the inferior. On 2-12-2018 there was another incident that where there was another hand written note on the wall that stated Fri 03-02-18 chlorine and dry ice bombs shooting the worthless. during the investigation the listed juvenile was developed as a suspect and during the interview with school administration she admitted to the writings which were left in the bathroom. Juvenile was read Miranda warning and admitted to all 3 incidents to reporting officer. Juvenile was charged, cdw notified, released to parents.

Conner High School

On above date and time, a student of Conner High School (public place) in Hebron, with intent to cause public inconvenience, annoyance and or alarm, engaged in violent, tumultuous and or threatening behavior by telling numerous students that he would be the next school shooter and he didn’t care he would go down the hallway telling everyone. With respect to the school function, the suspect threatened to commit acts likely to result in death or serious physical injury to students, teachers and other school officials and administration. All of the suspect’s actions served no legitimate purpose and interfered with the normal operation of the school and the Administrators ability to do his/her job.

Boone County High School

On the above date and time, a student made threats to the witness that she was going to take a knife to her dad. During this time and conversation the above made specific threats that she was going to bring a 5 cal. gun to the school and shoot the witness and other in the head. The above continued stating that she was going to kill one of Mr. XXXX kids so he knows how it feels. The above is a Special Education student and this stems from an outburst she had in which she threw multiple school items to the ground.

Gray Middle School

The above admitted to sending a Snap Chat to friends with a picture of two firearms and a message stating, “All Gray kids don’t go to school tmr.” The two firearms are BB guns and were collected along with the cell phone for evidence.

*Charges in a criminal complaint are accusations only. It is the government’s burden to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.

Boone County Schools Superintendent Randy Poe sent a notice to parents about the “copy-cat threats,” saying the district is working with local authorities.

“No student or staff member was ever in danger,” he said, and that the schools would continue to be alert and follow safety protocols.

He also wrote: “Parents, please talk to your children about these situations. Threats will be taken seriously. Sometimes students say or do things as pranks not realizing the seriousness of what they are saying or doing. The consequences could affect your child’s record.”


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