New information about the person accused of threatening to shoot up two DeSoto County High Schools.
Local 24 has learned the person questioned by Horn Lake Police detectives is a 17- year- old former Horn Lake High student who has made threats in the past.
The teenager is accused of using Snap Chat to post threats against Horn Lake and Lake Cormorant High Schools.
The teenager was questioned at the Horn Lake Police Department.
We’re told his dad picked him up in Marshall County and brought him to the Horn Lake Police Department around 6am Tuesday.
Detectives determined the pictures in question were old.
However, the teen shared the pictures to snap chat.
The 17- year -old is charged with Obscene Electronic Communications and Violation of Probation through Youth Court.
He’s being held at the Desoto County Juvenile Detention Center in Hernando.
DeSoto County Sheriff Bill Rasco says this kind of behavior must stop.
“This kid had mentioned coming to Horn Lake and bringing a gun to school. And then leaving there and coming to Lake Cormorant and bringing a gun to Lake Cormorant shooting up the school in Lake Cormorant,” said Rasco.
Students and teachers at Horn Lake High School were met by multiple uniform and plain clothes officers Tuesday morning.
Authorities beefed up patrols after a 17 -year- old former student made threats on Snapchat that he planned to shoot up Horn Lake High and nearby Lake Cormorant High.
Local 24 was told that the teen is a habitual offender and has been kicked out of Horn Lake High in the past, and that he didn’t register for school this year.
DeSoto County Sheriff’s deputies assisted with extra patrols at both schools.
Rasco said, “We want the parents to realize, no matter what happens, we take it serious.”
Sheriff Rasco was at the schools too. He says the threats must stop.
“We need to crack down on these folks,” Rasco said.
Sheriff Rasco says it’s going to take stiffer penalties and harsher punishment to get through to kids that this is not the way to go.
“If somebody is a habitual offender, let’s take it to a higher level. Let’s do what we can to show these young adults that they’re gonna be prosecuted as an adult, not as a juvenile,” said Rasco.
DeSoto County Schools notified parents about the increased police presence before 6am Tuesday morning.
