Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Lafourche Parish Schools Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Matthews announced a 17-year-old male Thibodaux High School student is facing charges of terrorizing and assault in reference to threats made regarding teachers and students at the school.
On Monday, February 19, a school administrator reported to a school resource officer that students had come forward about the 17-year-old male student allegedly having a list of students he planned to kill. They also learned he had made direct threats to the lives of students at the school.
Detectives made contact with the male student on Monday and questioned him in reference to the case. He admitted to creating the list some time during the previous school year. He claimed to have disposed of the list, but admitted to continuing to keep the list in his mind. He also described a plan to detectives to bring a shotgun to school to kill specific students.
The male student is currently undergoing a mental health evaluation. Charges of Terrorizing (R.S. 14:40.1) and Simple Assault (R.S. 14:38) are pending. Detectives have obtained search warrants in reference to the case, and additional charges are possible pending the outcome of those searches.
Dr. Jo Ann Matthews stated, “We take reports of these types seriously and move swiftly to investigate any allegations of this nature. We ask parents and students to please continue to report any suspicious information you may have to school personnel.”
Sheriff Craig Webre concurred with Dr. Matthews’ statement. “We are thankful for those who bravely came forward to report this situation,” said Sheriff Webre. “Whether you see a threat yourself, or hear about it through a third party, remember that by reporting such suspicious behavior, you may not only be saving your own life, but the lives of so many others.”
This case is still being actively investigated. No other details can be released at this time. More information may be released as it can be made available. The name of the student will not be released until he is officially booked on charges.