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Threats against Lexington High prom found not credible. School adding police anyway

After a student overheard a conversation, the Lexington High School prom will have additional police to watch over the event.

In an email to parents, principal Melissa Rawl tried to ease concerns and answer questions about rumored threats directed at the prom, which takes place Saturday night.

“We had a student overhear a conversation in the cafeteria about another student shooting up the prom,” Rawl wrote. “The student reported this to a guidance counselor who immediately alerted school administrators.”

The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department investigated the threat and interviewed the students who sent the threatening message as well as students who received the message, Rawl said.

“As a result, the parties involved in these messages are not being allowed to attend the prom or be on school grounds the night of the prom,” Rawl said.

Capt. Adam Myrick said the investigation found “nothing credible about the threat.”

No charges have been filed, Myrick said.

Extra law enforcement will be watching over the prom “in an abundance of caution and to put your minds at rest,” Rawl wrote to parents.

The principal also asked parents to talk with their children.

“Remind your students that they have an obligation to themselves and to their classmates to share information with adults at the school so that we can respond quickly to protect their safety,” Rawl wrote.

This story was originally published May 4, 2019 at 3:18 PM.

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David Travis Bland
The State
David Travis Bland is The State’s editorial editor. In his prior position as a reporter, he was named the 2020 South Carolina Journalist of the Year by the SC Press Association. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2010. Support my work with a digital subscription
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