Three people have been arrested in connection with an alleged conspiracy to carry out a shooting at Cherokee High School in Canton, Georgia, after threatening social media posts led to an investigation involving local and federal law enforcement agencies.
The Canton Police Department announced the arrests Tuesday, saying investigators identified the suspects after the FBI alerted school police to the online threats. Authorities said they recovered firearms, ammunition and electronic devices during the investigation.
The first suspect, a juvenile from Canton whose identity has not been released, was arrested Tuesday. The juvenile faces charges of conspiracy to commit murder and disruption or interference with the operation of public schools. Investigators later identified 2 additional suspects and obtained arrest warrants for both on Thursday.
Shane Keith Taylor, 17, of Metter, Georgia, was arrested Friday in Metter with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Georgia State Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. He was charged with conspiracy to commit murder and taken to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center.
Michael Brandon Terry, 21, of Chatsworth, California, was arrested the same day by the FBI and the Los Angeles Police Department. He faces the same conspiracy charge and is awaiting transport to Cherokee County.
Police have not disclosed how the 3 suspects knew one another or provided further details about the alleged plan. Authorities also have not released additional information about the evidence collected, saying some details are being withheld to protect the ongoing investigation.
Officials said they have identified no known ongoing threat to Cherokee High School or any other school in Cherokee County.
Following the arrests, school district leaders met with faculty and staff at Cherokee High School and a nearby middle school to discuss the investigation. Additional police officers were assigned to the high school campus, and counselors were scheduled to become available to support students and staff.
“The safety of our students and school staff is a top priority, and we take every threat seriously,” Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell said.
The investigation remains active. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883 or submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. Anyone facing an immediate emergency should call 911.