ALABAMA — An 18-year-old man has been arrested after authorities say he made a social media threat targeting Smiths Station High School, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies located Dontae Deshawn Ford at his home on Lee Road 240 in the Phenix City area on Friday and took him into custody without incident. Authorities confirmed no firearms were found during the arrest and said Ford was never on the school’s campus at any time.
Investigators said the threat was first brought to their attention earlier Friday when a school resource officer received a call from a staff member regarding a social media post threatening to “shoot up” the school. A second report was later made by a concerned citizen. Working with school officials and SROs, deputies identified the person responsible as a former student.
According to the sheriff’s office, Ford admitted to making the threat. He has been charged with first-degree making a terrorist threat and is currently being held in the Lee County Detention Center on a $15,000 bond, with $2,000 required in cash.
Officials also stated that Ford is prohibited from entering any school or educational facility property.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama CrimeStoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867).
