A Lexington County School District 1 student is accused of communicating electronic bomb threats against multiple schools this week.

The 15-year-old allegedly “communicated electronically about bombs being placed in the schools and plans to shoot students,” directing the threats at White Knoll High, River Bluff High and the North Lake Community Learning Center, according to a release from the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department.

The student, whose name won’t be released because he is under 18, is charged with student threats and threatening the use of a destructive device and student threats. He was taken to the state Department of Juvenile Justice after being charged and is set to appear in Lexington County Family Court at an undisclosed future date.

“Detectives connected the 15 year old to the threats by means of electronic evidence and obtained a search warrant to enter his house to secure additional evidence,” Lexington County Sheriff Jay Koon is quoted. “He confessed to making today’s threats when interviewed by detectives.

“The response to these threats on the part of school administrators and law enforcement is the perfect example of across-the-board coordination,” the sheriff is quoted. “Thanks to the Lexington Police Department, as two of the locations are in their jurisdiction, everyone stayed safe and each campus remained secure.”

According to messages sent to families by the district and shared with the Chronicle, the threats had a very low probability of being credible.

“However, law enforcement, school and district administrators are currently conducting a thorough sweep of our school building and campus as a precaution,” one of the texts reads, noting that operations at the schools continued as normal. The schools went into a “Hold” — with administrators clearing the hallways and other employees remaining in classrooms teaching students — while law enforcement searched the building.

“Our school and the district greatly appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who helped search our campus today as a precaution and who worked to identify the individual responsible for making the threat,” the district writes in a message after the charges were announced, noting that the student has been suspended and recommended for expulsion in line with Lexington 1 policy. “Anyone who communicates threats against a school faces severe consequences.”

“As always, the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority and threats against our schools will not be tolerated,” the district adds. “While it is a relief when a threat turns out to be a hoax, the disruption to teaching and learning and the emotional impact negatively impacts all of us.

“Families, please encourage your students to report anything concerning to an adult. We all have important roles to play in keeping our schools safe.”

White Knoll has been no stranger to threats so far this school year. The school previously received three threats between Aug. 9, the first day of classes, and Aug. 23. 

“Our school continues to be targeted with un-credible bomb threats sent via anonymous tip lines. We share your frustration,” White Knoll Principal Nicholas Pearson wrote in an email to families following the third threat. “Hopefully, however, it will help to reassure the White Knoll High family that school and district administrators are on constant alert and continue to explore all possible avenues.”

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