GASTONIA, N.C. – A 17-year-old boy was taken into custody Thursday morning in connection with threats made against two Gaston County high schools.
Police said 17-year-old Shiquan Eleek Ratchford was charged with two misdemeanor counts disorderly conduct by disrupting students, one count of misdemeanor cyber stalking and one felony count of making a false report concerning mass violence on educational property.
Ratchford was taken to the Gaston County Jail under a $250,000 secured bond.
He is a former student at Hunter Huss High School. Detectives said Ratchford told them he made the threats because he wanted to get back in school.
Police in Gaston County said there was increased security at Hunter Huss High School and Stuart Cramer High School Thursday after threats were made against the schools.
Huss High School junior Maysie Humphries said many students chose not to attend school despite extra police presence.
"It scared me," Humphries said. "I was kinda nervous and didn't know what to expect."
In the post, the user claims the teachers are ungrateful and wrote, "it's war now." In another post, the user said, "Huss will really be on the map today."
The posts are causing concern for parents who have also taken to social media to warn other parents to be aware and not send their children to school Thursday. Others posted about their dissatisfaction that school officials have not contacted parents.
Some parents have messaged Gaston County Police on Facebook directly, confirming that they are aware of the situation.
"It does take everyone to protect our communities and children," the Gaston County Police wrote back on Facebook. "The department is aware of this and has been investigating. The account is fake so we are encouraging everyone to not have them as a friend on their account."
Ratchford is scheduled to have a probable cause hearing in late-January.