An Oak Hill Elementary School student is facing misdemeanor charges after reports of an online threat surfaced two weeks ago.

According to Newton County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Investigator Jeff Alexander, on March 2, the School Resource Officer (SRO) at Oak Hill was notified of an online video of an 11-year-old student making general, non-specific threats against the school and students. According to Alexander, the student had a holstered gun in the video.

Alexander said the SRO notified school administrators and that action was taken as soon as the school was made aware of the situation.

According to Alexander, a juvenile complaint was filed against the student for making terroristic threats via computer or electronic device. Alexander said the charge is a misdemeanor. He also said investigators were not made aware of the situation until Monday, March 13, when another media outlet sent an email inquiry.

Alexander reiterated there were no specific threats made in the video, nor any injuries.

Newton County School System (NCSS) spokesperson Sherri Davis-Viniard issued the following statement:

“School officials launched an investigation as soon as the alleged threat was reported. The student in question was located and no weapons were found on his person or at the school. Students were not in danger at any time; however, per school district policy, law enforcement was notified of the online threat. The child was disciplined according to the rules listed in the student handbook.

“Per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the school district cannot release the student’s name or specific disciplinary action taken.”