Crime & Public Safety

15 year old detained after making threats to May River High School, Bluffton police say

A 15-year-old male student was detained by Bluffton Police Department Thursday due to a reported threat to May River High School, according to a news release.

The student was interviewed as he was dropped off at school Thursday and then detained and charged with “student threats.” The student, who was not named by the police, was released to his parent.

Capt. Scott Chandler with Bluffton Police said Thursday that students overheard threats made by the student in person on Wednesday, and then reported those threats to the school’s resource officer later that evening. Chandler said the threats were made against the school, but he did not know the specific nature of the threats.

“I am grateful for the students who came forward,” Bluffton Police Chief Stephenie Price said.

“I am reminding all students and others to do the same if they ever hear about a threat. Law enforcement will investigate all threats to public safety. Every threat is serious, every time. “

In the 2019-2020 school year, there were 36 calls to service or criminal incidents at May River High School recorded by the Bluffton Police Department, according to public records obtained by the Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

Three of those calls were for a “school disturbance.” Other calls included:

  • Four for assault
  • Five for drugs
  • Four for theft
  • One for weapons
  • Two for K-9 searches
  • Five for motor vehicle accidents
  • And 12 for “law related education.”

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This story was originally published April 1, 2021 at 2:27 PM.

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Rachel Jones
The Island Packet
Rachel Jones covers education for the Island Packet and the Beaufort Gazette. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and has worked for the Daily Tar Heel and Charlotte Observer. She has won awards from the South Carolina Press Association, Associated College Press and North Carolina College Media Association for feature writing and education reporting.
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