Lakeside High School students arrested in unrelated incidents

The Columbia County School District confirmed three Lakeside High School students were arrested Thursday in connection with three separate incidents involving threats against the school and weapons.

A student was heard making threatening comments against the school and was arrested, according to a letter sent to parents.

In a separate, unrelated incident, the administration received a report of a disturbing video in which a student was seen “holding and pointing a firearm in a threatening manner,” according to the letter.

No direct threats were made against the school, students or staff, according to the district. The student was arrested.

In another separate and unrelated incident, a student made comments of a threatening nature toward a student while possessing a knife, according to the letter. The knife was immediately confiscated and secured by Columbia County School District Police. The student was arrested.

“The safety of students and staff is a top priority; but it is also a team effort,” the school wrote in the letter. “Parents, please talk with your children about items that are inappropriate to bring to school. Additionally, threatening comments will not be tolerated and will be thoroughly investigated.”

When a threat is posted or declared, violations observed by the school generally result in the following two events:

Students removed from school for the year, possibly without the option to attend an alternative school
Misdemeanor or felony charges with proceedings in juvenile court or adult court

Suspicious behavior should always be promptly reported to a school administrator, the Columbia County School District Police, or by contacting the CCSD anonymous hotline at 706-541-3600.

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