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Oak Ridge teen charged after threatening to 'shoot up the school'

The boy told police he was just kidding and apologized, but the school and officers took the threat seriously.

A teenage boy is charged after he threatened to "shoot up the school" during a moment of silence for victims of the school shooting in Florida, according to Oak Ridge Police.

Officers were called to Robertsville Middle School just before 10 a.m. Thursday to report of a student threat.

Investigators say the 13-year-old boy was removed from class and taken to the principal's office. He told officers he was joking when he said he was going to "shoot up the school" and apologized.

Officers talked to the boy's parent who confirmed the teen doesn't have access to any guns at home.

The boy was expelled and sent home, but after consulting with the District Attorney General's office, Oak Ridge police officers got a warrant charging the teen with harassment and disruption of a gathering. The boy was arrested at his home and taken to appear before a juvenile court judge. An additional charge was added of false reporting, which is a felony. He is being transferred to the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Service Center in Knoxville.

"Especially in today’s environment, school safety and security are paramount," ORPD Chief James Akagi said. "We take any threat or potential threat to students and school staff seriously. We will always respond aggressively to the these threats and take proactive measures to ensure the safety of our students, our teachers and our community."

The school sent out a text alert to parents letting them know about the investigation.

On the same day, dozens of students staged a walk out at Oak Ridge High School to talk about school violence and safely. They gathered outside the entrance of the high school, chanting "How many kids are dying today?" and "Keep us safe before it's too late."

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