Gilbert High student accused of threatening student

Lexington, SC – An 15-year-old male who attends Gilbert High School has been charged with threatening students after deputies determined he made statements Wednesday about killing classmates.

A Lexington County deputy interviewed the student, whose name will not be released because he’s under the age of 18, at the school before releasing him to the custody of a guardian.

According to Lexington County School District One, they have suspended the student, and recommended the student for expulsion. This means that the student is not allowed on any Lexington District One property or at any of the District's events while suspended. This is standard operating procedure. Although administrators have suspended the student, because of this student’s individual or special circumstances, there will be an additional step in the discipline process of this student while he waits for an expulsion hearing with the district’s hearing officer.

In May of 2018, an amendment to the S.C. Code of Laws created the new crime “Student Threats” (Section 16-17-425). This amendment made it unlawful for a “student of a school or college in this state to make threats, to take the life of, or to inflict bodily harm upon another by using any form of communication whatsoever.” School officials must report any student threats.

The student will appear in Lexington County Family Court at a later date.