A 15-year-old boy in Knoxville, Tenn., has been taken into custody after allegedly making threatening remarks on Facebook related to Friday's school shooting in Newtown, Conn.
A Connecticut woman who had no personal relation to the teen alerted police Sunday to the boy's social media postings, according to WATE. The Facebook post in question reportedly featured a photo of a victim of the shooting with the caption, "this could happen here." It's unclear whether the post was meant as a threat, or as a cautious and empathetic statement that tragedy can strike any community.
Knox County District Attorney Randy Nichols told the Knoxville News Sentinel that he has not yet decided whether to charge the teen, though he noted the boy is already on juvenile probation for an unrelated incident and has been ordered to additional counseling.
Newtown is still recovering from the massacre that killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday. Funeral services and wakes are being held this week to remember the victims and honor the day's heroes, as children return to school.
Schools across the country are on high alert this week as parents nervously sent their children back to class after the attack. Districts nationwide have tightened security measures and increased campus patrols, and hypersensitivity to any unusual activity or perceived threats has already resulted in numerous lockdowns.
One Utah boy may face charges for taking the matter into his own hands and bringing a gun to school for protection.
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