Orangeburg County, SC (WLTX) - A 23-year-old suspect has been charged in connection to threats made against Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School Wednesday.
Investigators began searching for Shakiem Ellison when they were made aware of the Facebook post stating, "shoot up OW TOMORROW 725 AM" around 2 p.m. Tuesday.
A second post stated, in part, "“We start shooting the slow kids first, I REPEAT SLOW KIDS first! 7:25 AM.” Ellison reportedly made the threats through a fake social media account.
“We’ve been tracking this individual and searching his most visited locations throughout the county since a few minutes after the threat was received,” Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said. “We finally located him around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday.”
Although the sheriff says they don't believe there is any threat, and the suspect acted alone, deputies were still present at the high school Wednesday morning to reassure protection for students, parents and staff.
Ravenell said the suspect is a "danger to the community," and requested bond be denied. Keisha Gilliard, a case investigator, echoed that request.
However bond was set at $3,237 for two charges, disturbing schools and unlawful communication.
“If it were in my power to do something different, I would,” said Orangeburg County Magistrate Derrick Dash.
A district spokesman believes students may require mental health counseling after the threats.
“They are afraid,” said Bill Clark, an Orangeburg School District 5 spokesman. “They are afraid of what happened in Florida could happen at our school.”
The sheriff says these types of threats won't be tolerated.
“This is a frightening and simply callous incident that comes less than a week after a nation found itself grieving for 17 students in Florida,” Ravenell said. “However, we acted immediately to find this individual and put an end to the opportunity before another tragedy occurred. I’m just disappointed and angered someone would do this here in our community.”
