Crime
DeSoto High School on lockdown after social media threat
Desoto High School has been placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure following a social media threat.
A concerning post, featuring an individual with a gun who is not a student at the school, was shared online.
According to a source who told Channel2 NOW, my sister stated that the school became aware of the threat around 6:40 AM and immediately implemented a lockdown to ensure the safety of the students. The individual who posted the image with the gun was subsequently assaulted by other students.
Approximately 30 minutes ago, the individual posted a video showing themselves outside the school with police officers present. Recently, another video was posted by the same individual, indicating their intention to return to the school.
The school administration and local law enforcement authorities are actively investigating the matter.
Further details regarding the nature of the threat and the safety of students and staff will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.