Easley High was put on a “hold” as rumors of a non-specific threat were investigated.
Kasie Strickland | The Easley Progress
EASLEY — The School District of Pickens County said precautionary action was taken at Easley High School on Monday morning to investigate a reported rumor.
In a message to families, the principal of Easley High Josh Oxendine said there were “rumors of a nonspecific threat circulating among students.”
The school went into a “hold” — which is different than a “lock-down” — and allows classes to continue but keeps hallways clear, while administrators and law enforcement investigate the rumor, administrators said.
“All students and staff are safe and classes are continuing as normal,” Oxendine said on Monday. “To help prevent the spread of misinformation, we kindly ask that you only share information that you can personally verify. If you have questions about anything you’ve heard or seen online, please reach out to Easley High School or local law enforcement directly.”
The Easley High “hold” comes as the latest in a series of lock-downs and holds from schools in districts across South Carolina. In the Upstate, Greenville, Pickens, Anderson and Oconee Counties have seen an uptick in school threats, rumored threats and misinformation about threats. Officials said the incidents have all been in the aftermath of the deadly Apalachee school shooting in Winder, Ga., on Sept. 4 in which two 14-year-old students and two teachers were killed by the (also 14-year-old) gunman. Nine others — eight students and one teacher — were wounded in the attack.
There have been at least 46 school shootings in the United States so far this year, as of September 6. Thirteen were on college campuses, and 33 were on K-12 school grounds. The incidents left 24 people dead and at least 62 other victims injured, according to an analysis of events reported by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety.
Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.