Juvenile charged with communicating threats of mass violence to Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a juvenile has been charged and taken into custody for making violent threats against Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. 

In a media release, the office states that it has received multiple reports of threats against two schools in the district since the spring of 2023. 

After an investigation, a juvenile suspect was charged with six counts of communicating a threat of mass violence on educational property, and one count of extortion, which are both felonies. The suspect was also charged with 13 counts of cyberbullying. 

In a statement provided to WFDD, Superintendent Tricia McManus said the charges send a message that this behavior is “disruptive and detrimental to our learning environment and the community, " and that students "must understand the gravity of their actions can have lifelong consequences."

According to the sheriff’s office, there is currently no threat to the school district or the public.

Amy Diaz covers education for WFDD in partnership with Report For America. You can follow her on Twitter at @amydiaze.