Student arrested in threat case

Security increased at magnet high school

North Charleston police said Saturday they arrested a 16-year-old Academic Magnet High School student in connection with threats against the school.

Officers arrested the unidentified student at home on a charge of disturbing schools, but additional charges are possible, department spokesman Spencer Pryor said.

Pryor said police still are investigating a motive and whether other suspects were involved.

"This is still an active investigation," he said. "We hope to have more information on Monday once we are able meet with school district officials and tie up loose ends."

Security has been high at the 1525 Ave. B South campus since a series of threats that apparently began April 4. School officials and police have released very few details about the various threats, received in writing on at least two occasions.

Principal Carol Tempel sent an e-mail to parents Saturday morning on behalf of Charleston County Schools Superintendent Nancy McGinley. It read, in part:

"Last night, I was contacted by Chief (Jon) Zumalt from the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD), who called to inform me that an arrest has been made and charges filed in connection with the threatening letter against Academic Magnet. As many of you know, this letter formed the basis for the majority of security measures that have been enacted since last week."

Extra security officers patrolled the campus after school officials found a note April 4 that warned about a potential incident at the school April 7, said Elliot Smalley, the school district's executive director of planning, marketing and communications. Searches didn't turn up anything suspicious.

North Charleston police increased patrols in and around the campus April 18 after receipt of a letter threatening harm to the school community. School officials and police would not release further details about the letter. It was unknown if the letter was connected to the earlier bomb threat.

McGinley wrote in the e-mail sent to parents Saturday that she wants to get the campus back to where it was before the threats were made.

"I think you'll agree that it would be wise for us to take judicious steps in making this transition," she said. "With this in mind, we will still have extra security in place on Monday and we will scale back as directed by the police."

Glenn Smith contributed to this report.Reach Nita Birmingham at nbirmingham@postandcourier.com.