HOCKING COUNTY, Ohio — A student has been arrested after a bomb scare caused choas at a local high school.
On Wedesday numerous public safety agencies responded to Logan High School in response to a suspicious package found inside the building. Students and staff were evacuated from the building, and bomb squad technicians concluded that the explosive device was fake. Investigators reviewed security camera footage from the building and conducted interviews with several individuals, resulting in the identification of a suspect.
Sheriff Lanny North provided more details about the incident, stating that “upon consulting with the Hocking County Prosecutor’s Office, an arrest warrant was obtained, and a juvenile male, a student at Logan High School, was arrested on the evening of May 4th, 2023.”
The suspect is charged with one count of Inducing Panic, a Felony of the Fourth Degree, and one count of Unlawful Possession or use of a hoax weapon of mass destruction, also a Felony of the Fourth Degree. He has pending court hearings scheduled in Hocking County Juvenile Court.
Sheriff North emphasized the seriousness of the incident, stating that “this type of behavior will not be tolerated and carries severe consequences.” He also praised the quick response of first responders, saying that “the safety of our students, staff, and first responders is our top priority, and we will continue to work together to ensure their safety.”
The Logan-Hocking School District administration released a statement thanking the first responders for their swift response and quick action in ensuring the safety of students and staff. They also stated that counseling services will be available to students and staff who may have been affected by the incident.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Sheriff North said that “we will continue to investigate this incident to ensure that all those responsible are held accountable for their actions.”