1/14/2023
RawNews1st – A 15-year-old male has been arrested in connection with recent bomb threats made toward New Hope Middle School and Columbus High School.
Another suspect has been identified as to making similar threats to West Lowndes High School.
On Friday morning around 8:08 am, the first of three calls threatening an explosion came into local schools. The first being at Columbus High School.
The caller stated that there was a bomb in the building that was about to explode. The Columbus High School authorities followed their protocols and evacuated the school.
At approximately 8:15 am, a second call was placed to New Hope Middle School stating similar claims.
The third call to West Lowndes High was made around 9:15 am. Both Lowndes County Schools evacuated their students as a precaution.
Columbus PD along with Columbus Municipal School Police and a Bomb dog team from Columbus Air Force Base conducted a sweep of Columbus High looking for any signs of an explosive device. Once the school was cleared safe, students were able to go back to class.
Meanwhile at the Lowndes County Schools, Lowndes County Sheriff Deputies also conducted a search of New Hope Middle School and West Lowndes High School utilizing the county’s bomb dog and also assisted by a second team from the Columbus Air Force Base.
No devices were found in either school and once everything was all clear, students returned back to class.
Under Mississippi law, it is unlawful for any person to make false reports of a bomb threat.
Any person convicted of this violation shall be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($ 10,000.00) or shall be committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than ten (10) years, or both. (Ms. Code 97-37-21)
Investigators from Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and Columbus Police Department along with Analyst from the Ms.
Department of Homeland Security were able to utilize technology to identify suspects and addresses involved in placing the calls.
During the investigation, investigators identified a residence located at 107 Florence Street in Columbus where the calls were made from.
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Investigators responded to that residence and probable cause led Investigators to a search of the residence and the seizure of a large quantity of marijuana. Three adults at the residence were arrested in connection to the drugs found.
51-year-old Shawn Curtis Young, 50-year-old Nicole Ozella Young and 30-year-old Xzaver Deshun Morris were all charged with trafficking Marijuana. All three suspects remain at the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center awaiting initial appearance.
While interviewing witnesses at the residence, investigators learned the name of a 15-year-old male suspect and later contacted his guardians who brought him to the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.
The 15-year-old confessed to placing the call to New Hope Middle School and he was then taken to the Lowndes County Juvenile Detention Center where he will be charged with “false reporting of an explosive device and or a weapon of mass destruction”.
Investigators from the Columbus Police Department have also charged the 15-year-old with placing the call to Columbus High School.
Another suspect has been identified and will be questioned as to their involvement in this case as this investigation continues.
The safety of our schools is a top priority and Law Enforcement take these types of threats very serious.
If you have knowledge of this case or any additional information, please contact the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office at 662-328-6788 or Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers at 1-800-530-7151. You are eligible for a cash reward if your information leads to an arrest.
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