Feds investigating racist, hate-filled TikTok threats sent to GA middle school students

ROSWELL, Ga. — The U.S Department of Homeland Security is investigating hate-filled death threats that were sent to black students at a Fulton County middle school via TikTok.

Students at Elkins Pointe Middle School in Roswell got messages saying they would be lynched, skinned and burned.

All of the students that were targeted are members of the Roswell High Junior Hornets football team..

Channel 2′s Mike Petchenik spoke to the father of a 12-year-old victim, who said his son is terrified to go back to face-to-face learning at school.

Channel 2 Action News is not identifying the father to protect the identity of his son, but he says he wants someone to be criminally charged.

“I feel like everyone should get to the bottom of this and find out what happened,” he said. “Who started all this?”

The father said the messages called his son and his friends a racial slur.

“If it was my son that did something bad, he would get in trouble,” the father said. “So I feel if someone does something wrong, legally, they should be held responsible.”

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Fulton County Schools told Petchenik their own police department initiated an investigation into the messages and said they want parents and students to know these kinds of threats are contrary to the school district’s culture and goals.

“Hate speech must end,” officials said in a statement. “Our country and community are changing and challenging this type of behavior. FCS is working to foster a positive and respectful environment that embraces the strength inherent in our diversity.”

The father said the messages are indicative of the time we’re living in.

“It tells me there’s a lot of division in this country still. Racism still exists, and they’re getting taught it at home," he said. “Nobody’s born a racist. It’s getting taught at the house.”

The father said he hopes someone knows something and will come forward to school officials to let them know who might be behind this.

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