Follow us on

Sunday, May 19, 2013 | 7:26 p.m.

Posted: 6:02 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012

2 Springboro high students accused of posting threat

By Jill Kelley

Staff Reporter

SPRINGBORO —

Two 15-year-old Springboro High School students have been charged with disorderly conduct as a result of a Facebook posting Friday night that implied that the recent school shootings in Newtown, Conn., could also happen in Springboro.

Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell said the students were not arrested but were charged after one student posted a message on the site, and the other commented in response.

Fornshell said the initial post read: “if I see one more (expletive) post about this shooting, maybe Springboro will be as well-known as Newtown Connecticut. So please be quiet.”

The posting was reported to the school district quickly by other students, according to Superintendent Todd Petrey. The district immediately contacted police, who then went to the students’ homes to investigate.

The male students are not permitted on school property, pending the outcome of the charges. Whether they were suspended has not been determined.

Fornshell said he would not characterize their actions as credible threats - which is viewed as somebody who has the intent and the opportunity to engage in threatening or violent conduct - but one that could cause alarm and panic.

“There is not a clean statute that fits this type of scenario of veiled and implicit threats (on social media sites),” Fornshell said. “We have to work within the confines of what we’ve got.”

The students likely will receive psychological assessments and counseling to determine whether they can return to the school system, Fornshell said, adding that the students likely will receive community service if convicted.

More News

 
Featured Articles
Ads By Google
 
March 2013 Photo Winner - Abbey Wyatt

iW7 April 2013 Photo of the Month Vote

It's time to vote on your photos for the iWitness7 Photo of the Month for April. Voting lasts until May 23.

5-day text alerts

Get your 5-day forecast on the go!

Sign up to receive your daily 5-day forecast text alert from WHIO-TV and Storm Center 7.

iWitness7 Photos