Sanders Middle School student charged after making online threats

An eighth-grader at Sanders Middle School was arrested Wednesday by the Laurens Police Department and now faces charges of “communicating threats,” District 55 said in a release Wednesday night.

According to District 55 officials, the LPD received reports of a perceived threat made toward District 55 on a social media chat chain among some Sanders Middle School students.

During the evening of May 25, the Laurens City Police Department received information about a perceived threat made on a social media chat chain between some students of Sanders Middle School. The threat was directed to Laurens County School District 55.

LPD investigators identified all the involved students within three hours of beginning their investigation.

The student was charged through the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice.

“We are very thankful for the quick response from the Laurens City Police Department,” said LCSD 55 Superintendent Ameca Thomas. “Please be assured that the safety of students and staff is a top priority in our school district. We will not tolerate any threats to the safety of our school district.”