4 Gwinnett students facing criminal charges after threats posted to social media

SUWANEE, Ga. — Four students at a Suwannee high school are facing criminal and disciplinary charges after threats were posted to social media, school officials said.

Peachtree Ridge High School Principal Jadd Jarusinski said in a letter to families Monday that while they were investigating a threat posted to social media, a second threat was posted. Jarusinki said the second post was similar to the first, which indicated there was a gun on campus.

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“As we had a considerable amount of resources focused on the first post, we were able to quickly learn of the second post,” Jarusinski said. “Our investigation allowed us to identify approximately four students who were involved in the posting of this second threat.”

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Jarusinski said that the students found the image online and tagged Peachtree Ridge with the intent to “create chaos.” The gun was never actually on campus. Officials said the flooring in the photo did not match any of the flooring at the school.

The school day continued as scheduled without even going on lockdown and there was an additional police presence on campus.

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Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes was talked to parents about the scary situation.

The panic spread to Parsons Elementary School right next door.

“I have an 8-year-old son,” Lynette Ramirez said. “I live right there. I was about to jump the fence, you know? I’m like, ‘I’m taking him out of there.’ This is terrible.”

The students have not been identified. School administrators said that they legally can’t say what punishment they will receive.

Many parents said it needs to be more than just a slap on the wrist.

“Other kids need to see that there are going to be consequences if you do this,” Ramirez said. “And of course, the school needs to apply whatever it is that’s written down in their handbook and take the measures necessary.”

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