A 16-year-old boy is facing multiple charges for falsely reporting a threat at Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville.
Just before 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, patrol units from the Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) answered a call about a student with a gun who was threatening to shoot up the school.
Officers from the Summerville Police Department and South Carolina Highway Patrol also responded to the scene. The North Charleston Police Department assisted with investigative issues in their jurisdiction.
The DCSO patrol lieutenant arrived in less than two minutes and assumed command. He determined there were at least two extra-curricular activities taking place at the school. Lt. Rick Carson of the DCSO said the initial call was received at 2:44 p.m. and all students were removed to safe areas by 3:04 p.m.
Carson said multiple teams entered the school over the next two hours, searching hallways, classrooms, restrooms, closets, cafeterias, offices, storage areas, outside buildings and the stadium. During the searches, law enforcement did not locate anyone with a weapon or find any weapons.
Upon completing the search, Dorchester District Two assisted with student-parent reunification. DCSO detectives immediately started investigating the incident. The juvenile was later detained and charged with the incident.
After consultation with the First Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the juvenile was formally charged with unlawful communication, disturbing schools, threatening students and breach of peace high and aggravated. The First Judicial Circuit Solicitor will prosecute the juvenile in the Dorchester County Family Court.
Carson thanked all the assisting agencies for helping at the scene and bringing the investigation to a successful conclusion.
