CHESAPEAKE – Three Chesapeake Middle School students are in the county’s group and shelter home after allegedly making threats against some of the school’s faculty and students.

Thursday, January 31, 2002

CHESAPEAKE – Three Chesapeake Middle School students are in the county’s group and shelter home after allegedly making threats against some of the school’s faculty and students.

Middle school principal Granvil Brammer said three male students, all eighth-graders, made threats to harm him, and take several teachers and students hostage. Brammer said he received a tip from a parent that led to the investigation, but added he could not release the name of the three youths.

Brammer said the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department was contacted, at which time deputies, Sheriff Tim Sexton said, arrested all of the boys at their respective homes.

Brammer said an investigation failed to reveal any threatening letters or notes, nor did the investigation yield any weapons.

Brammer described one of the boys as being a habitual troublemaker in the school. Another boy, he said, was in some trouble last school year, and the third boy had never caused in serious problems.

"They were trying to make headlines for themselves," Brammer said, adding that no one from the school district was taking the issue lightly.

Brammer said the arrest of the three juveniles has not had a major impact on the other students or teachers.

"Students (still) feel safe – concerned, but safe," he said.

The students and teachers, Brammer continued, "realize we’re doing everything to keep them safe."

Lawrence County Juvenile Court Judge David Payne said the trio is scheduled to appear in court next Wednesday afternoon.

The trio is charged with inducing panic which, if found guilty, could lead to several types of sanctions, including placement in the state’s Department of Youth Services for an indefinite period of time between 6 months up to, and including, their 21st birthday.

Payne said the court will also decide where to place the juveniles until the case comes to trial. Several options exists, Payne said, including placement outside of the home, remaining in the group and shelter home, or remanded to their parent’s custody.