Holt student arrested for threat

An 18-year-old Holt High School student is in custody after posting a threat on social media. The teen is not being identified because of his age.

The Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office notified Holt High School staff of the threat and the entire school campus was immediately cordoned off.

The threat was posted by the suspect off campus, according to investigators, and was only removed after the student was taken into custody. He is charged with first-degree terroristic threatening.

The frequency of online threats (four this week) in school systems across the state and the country prompted the Tuscaloosa County school system to tighten school security this school year with metal detectors at all middle and high schools in the county.

The Tuscaloosa County School System reminds parents and students to confidentially report any threats of violence, bullying, peer crises, and other immediate threats through the Speak for the safety tip hotline.

The confidential threat reporting system can be contacted by email at [email protected] or by calling or texting (659) 734-2808. Trained security officers evaluate information received by the hotline 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, according to the TCSS website.

Terrorist threats against schools on social media are a growing problem nationwide. As we've learned the hard way, all threats must be taken seriously. The National Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) points out that a single threat or hoax on social media can make waves. False information can spread and cause confusion and even panic.

According to CISA, such threats can increase stress in a community, disrupt classes, lead to postponements of events, and result in high costs and use of valuable time by support staff and school officials.

Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's investigators continue to investigate the incident.