LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — A Lexington middle school student has been charged and suspended after threatening to harm students at the school, according to officials.
Lexington School District Two officials say a Pine Ridge Middle student allegedly made a verbal threat in a classroom to harm students on Tuesday.
The teacher in the classroom alerted administrators and the School Resource Officer, who contacted the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies interviewed the student at the school.
The student was charged and released to the custody of a family member, according to the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.
School district officials say an incident report was filed, the student’s parent/guardian was notified and the student was suspended "pending further action in accordance with district policy." The student is not allowed on any district property or at any district event.
In May of 2018, an amendment to the S.C. Code of Laws created the new crime “Student Threats” (Section 16-17-425). This amendment made it unlawful for a “student of a school or college in this state to make threats, to take the life of, or to inflict bodily harm upon another by using any form of communication whatsoever.” School officials must report any student threats.
Lexington Two officials say they encourage students, parents and others to report any safety concerns immediately to a school administrator, school counselor, teacher, SRO or any other employee.
