A Lexington High School student was charged after sending a bomb threat to a fellow student Aug. 18, according to the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

The male suspect, whose name will not be released since he is under 17, allegedly sent a message to a classmate about a bomb inside a book bag, according to a news relase.

“Deputies interviewed the male suspect ... and determined he did not have any explosive devices in his possession,” the release states.

The student was charged with making a bomb threat and was released into the custod of his guardians. He is set to appear in Lexington County Family Court at an unspecified future date.

Ryan Pool, Lexington High’s principal, sent a message out to families this morning. The note, provided to the Chronicle, offers further details about the incident.

“Yesterday, a student used AirDrop from a phone to anonymously send a prank picture to another student's telephone,” Pool writes. “As we expect our students to do, the student who received the picture immediately brought it to an administrator who then collaborated with resource officers to determine the source of the prank. Within an hour, the student who sent the image was identified and was cooperating with school administration and law enforcement.”

The student who sent the picture was suspended from school pending an expulsion hearing, according to the note, which emphasizes that safety is the school’s top priority.

“At no time was the student in possession of a weapon and the investigation confirmed that the incident was intended as a joke,” Pool writes. “Regardless, we take all security issues seriously. Students who jeopardize the safety of their classmates or our staff will be met with the highest levels of consequences from the school and law enforcement partners.”

According to an incident report shared with the Chronicle, a search for the backpack in the photo was conducted, and one appearing to match the photo was found in the cafeteria. It was searched, obtaining “negative results.” Lunch ended before they could complete a full search of the cafeteria.

Using security cameras, law enforcement and school officials were eventually able to identify the student who took the photo.

The bomb threat comes early in the school year for Lexington High, as students returned for the fall on Aug. 16.

“Lexington County School District One administration notified us and we went to work finding out what happened,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon is quoted in the release from the department. “We confirmed the student took a picture of a random book bag on the campus and sent the message a short time later.

“Senseless, and criminal, disruptions like this will not be tolerated. Students are there to learn and we're going to protect them and make sure everyone on campus stays safe.”

This is a developing story and will continue to be updated.