STHS student posts threat on social media

By Kathryn Reed

A South Tahoe High School sophomore posted pictures of himself with guns and threatening song lyrics that prompted police officers to search his home in Meyers.

The threats showed up on Snapchat on Jan. 15. And while they disappear quickly, it is possible to take screenshots of messages.

Students when they received the message on Monday contacted a staff member at school – even though this was a holiday – and that person then called the police department. Other students on Tuesday shared the screenshots with Andy Eissenger, the school resource officer.

Officers went to the student’s house Monday night and found two BB guns, but no other weapons. One was a 1911 style handgun, and the other an AR-15 style assault rifle.

“The threat was from the song lyrics,” Lt. Shannon Laney told Lake Tahoe News.

“One afternoon he brought his gun to lunch; An started capin off mfkrs one bye one,” are the lyrics in the song “Fake I.D.” by Speed Gang.

“We determined it was not an actual threat to the school and turned it over to the school district,” Laney said.

Lake Tahoe Unified School District Superintendent Jim Tarwater and South Tahoe High School Principal Carline Sinkler did not return calls.

However, spokeswoman Shannon Chandler told Lake Tahoe News the student is no longer at the school. The type of help he is receiving and disciplinary action have not been released.

“I’m not able to say what type of help he is getting,” Chandler said.

She said the principal on Tuesday sent an email to parents letting them know about the incident, and that the district on Jan. 18 followed up with a phone call.

The motive behind the student’s actions has not been released. Because of his age his name is not being used.

At Tuesday’s school board meeting nothing about the incident was mentioned.