WRGA NEWS|On Thursday, a 14-year-old male was charged with Terroristic Threats after posting on Instagram a photo of himself holding a firearm and making threats of shooting at Rome Middle School. The school resource officer was provided the information and conducted the investigation. At the conclusion of his investigation, he charged the juvenile with one felony count of the above criminal act.
No further information will be released on this incident due to the offender’s age.
On March 2, 2018, Rome Police Officers were on the campus of Rome High School in reference to alleged threats of violence made via social media. While investigating this matter another student reported to school officials that they had received a post via snap chat referencing a second potential threat that would occur at Rome High on this date.
Rome Police were already on the campus and members of the Criminal Investigation Division began efforts to identify the individual responsible for the threatening post on snap chat. Obtained information led the investigators to identify 18-year-old Joseph Q. Kinnebrew, a student at Rome High School, as the individual responsible for the threatening post. A warrant was obtained for Mr. Kinnebrew for one count of felony Terroristic Threats.
No weapons were found on either school campus. No shots were fired. No persons were injured.
From Rome City Schools:
In an effort to remain transparent, Rome City Schools will notify the community we serve of any emergency situation as soon as the information is available to school officials.
The goal is to provide a clear picture of what is going on, and to make the public aware of steps we are taking according to our policies and at the direction of local law enforcement. As always, safety and security of our faculty, staff and students is the first priority.
All information going forward will be released at the discretion of local police authorities. Rome City Police arrested an individual in connection with this morning’s potential threat. Rome City Schools will continue to release statements as directed by authorities to inform the public.
We would like to thank Chief Downer-McKinney, Rome Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for their vigilance in resolving this matter. Also, RCS would like to thank school officials, faculty/staff, students and the community at large for their cooperation.