Shooting Hoax Calls at Schools

November 30, 2022—Local schools including Brooks County Schools and Valdosta City Schools received online social media threats as well as other Georgia Schools throughout the state. 

On November 29, 2022 the Brooks County Schools received notice of a post on Instagram that was spreading stating, 

“Brooks county middle school is going to pay at 12:00 the school will be shoot up if police come that makes it worse---Let people know” BROOKS COUNTY SCHOOLS DON’T SEND YOUR KIDS TO SCHOOL TOMORROW!! Wtf dude” 

Sheriff Mike Dewey stated that officer from the Sheriff department as well as “officers from the GBI and Georgia State Patrol” were canvasing the schools beside the school police and sweeping for any threats at all the schools. Sheriff Dewey also commented that the schools were not on lockdown the morning of November 29th. 

Sheriff Dewey also stated on his Facebook page November 29th at 2:39 p.m., “in reference to the threats against the Brooks County Middle School last night. A juvenile suspect has been taken into custody.” 

On November 30, 2022 in Valdosta, another threat was issued to the Valdosta High School in reference to a shooter. Local law enforcement, GBI, Georgia State Patrol and first responders were dispatched. 

Valdosta High School released a statement on their Facebook page stating, 

“Valdosta High School was one of several statewide schools that went into lockdown today after the threat of an active shooter on campus. 

School personnel and local first responders immediately jumped into action to sweep the entire campus. No shooters nor injuries were found during the sweep. There were reports of people experiencing panic and/or anxiety attacks and they are being treated by first responders on site. 

Valdosta High School will release students early today. As soon as the first responders reopen the main gates parents will be allowed to pick up their students. Buses will also run and any student who drives to school will be allowed to go home for the day.” 

Governor Brian P. Kemp released a tweet at 11:37 a.m. November 30, 2022 stating, “Read my full statement on this morning’s hoax calls regarding gunmen on school campuses:”

His statement is as follows: 

“The security of schools across multiple coastal counties was unexpectedly put to the test this morning due to a cruel hoax.

Law enforcement across all levels immediately sprang into action. They did not hesitate to rush toward potential danger to protect our children. Within five minutes of the first emergency call at the first school, state troopers were in the building, combing for any threats. I want to thank every law enforcement entity involved in today’s emergency responses. 

As a father of three daughters, the possibility of an active school shooter is a concern that I ask God to guard against every day. That is why we provided $30,000 for campus security to every single public school in the state in my first year in office and why we have followed up with further school security grants since then. By the end of this year, we will also have trained over 400 school resource officers and provided them with further supports.

Rest assured, for the criminals who orchestrated these hoaxes, we will go after them with every single resource available. The FBI is actively investigating these acts of domestic terrorism, and we will continue to diligently work with them to see these culprits are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” 

-Governor Brian Kemp 

Brooks County schools are open and running today, while Valdosta and Lowndes County schools have dismissed early today. Brook County Schools was reached out to, but no comment was forthcoming at this time. 



Georgia State Patrol has not released a press release at this time on either Brooks County’s threats and arrest. Further investigation is being conducted into the remaining threats that hit Valdosta, Savannah, and other areas.