Police: Teen’s nicotine withdrawal leads to threatening social media post

An Oxford man told police he is worried his father is recruiting people to retaliate against him for a July 4 arrest by blowing up his mobile home.

An Oxford man told police he is worried his father is recruiting people to retaliate against him for a July 4 arrest by blowing up his mobile home.

A police officer on duty in Talawanda High School was approached by several students in the cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 25 showing him a Snapchat post with an apparent threat of school violence. The officer photographed the message and contacted the principal and assistant principals. A police lieutenant was also called in.

The post with a picture of a math test read, “I promise if I can’t hit a juul or something today Im shooting up this school (sic).”

 

The location of the student was determined and he was taken out of class and searched for weapons. None were found on his person, in his bookbag or the vehicle in which he arrived at school that day.

The student was questioned by a detective and admitted making the post but said it was done out of frustration and nicotine withdrawal. He said he did not have the plans or means to cause anyone harm at school.

The officer contacted the county prosecutor’s office and was advised to not move forward with charges but the school pursued administrative discipline which included a 10-day suspension with a recommendation of expulsion. The officer confirmed with his parents and grandfather he did not have access to weapons at the household.

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