SC Teen Arrested for Snapchat School Shooting Threat

An 18-year-old South Carolina resident, Keylee Ray Sammons, has been arrested and charged with disturbing schools after allegedly threatening to “shoot up” West-Oak High School in Westminster, according to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. The threat was made Monday night via Snapchat to two students at the school.

The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after a school resource officer (SRO) at West-Oak High School was alerted to the potential threat on Tuesday morning. Investigators identified Sammons as the individual who allegedly sent the threatening message.

“Shoot up your school,” the message reportedly stated, as detailed in a press release from the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation determined that Sammons was believed to have the ability to carry out the threat, causing fear among the student population.

“Everybody would get shot,” “Don’t go to school tomorrow,” and then, “I’m joking.”

Messages allegedly sent by the teen, as reported by WFTV

Sammons is currently being held at the Oconee County Detention Center. The case highlights the growing concern over threats made through social media platforms, particularly Snapchat, and the rapid response required from law enforcement and school officials.

Snapchat as a Vector for School Threats

This incident is not isolated. Recent reports indicate a rise in threats made via Snapchat, prompting increased scrutiny of the platform’s role in facilitating such communications. A separate incident in Flagler County, Florida, involved a 14-year-old student facing felony charges for a similar threat made through Snapchat, according to reporting from WFTV. That student allegedly warned students not to attend school, stating, “Everybody would get shot.”

WCTV reported on an arrest in Franklin County, where a teen was apprehended after posting a bomb threat on Snapchat. These cases underscore the challenges schools and law enforcement face in monitoring and responding to threats originating on social media.

Law Enforcement Response and Concerns

Oconee County Sheriff Mike Crenshaw emphasized the seriousness with which such threats are treated. While the Sheriff’s Office has not released specific details regarding Sammons’s potential motives or access to weapons, the arrest demonstrates a zero-tolerance policy towards threats against schools.

The swift response by the SRO and the subsequent investigation by the Sheriff’s Office were crucial in mitigating the potential risk to students and staff at West-Oak High School. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of collaboration between schools, law enforcement, and social media companies in addressing school safety concerns.

The arrest of Keylee Ray Sammons follows a pattern of similar incidents involving threats made on Snapchat, raising questions about the platform’s security measures and its ability to prevent the spread of harmful content. While Snapchat has implemented features to detect and remove threatening content, these cases suggest that more robust safeguards may be necessary.

The incident is currently under investigation, and further details are expected to be released as the case progresses. The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office has not yet commented on potential additional charges or the length of Sammons’s detention.