FBI Social Media Threats Lead to Arrests in Alleged Georgia School Shooting Plot as Police Say Cherokee Schools Face No Ongoing Danger

CANTON, GA — Three people, including two juveniles, have been arrested in Georgia after police say they uncovered a conspiracy to carry out a school shooting. Canton police said the case began when the FBI identified threatening social media posts and alerted Cherokee County School District Police, who then contacted Canton investigators on Oct. 19.

Officials said investigators quickly identified one juvenile connected to the threats and arrested that person on Oct. 20. Two additional suspects were arrested on Oct. 23. Police say the three face conspiracy to commit murder charges, and the juvenile also faces a charge of disruption or interference with the operation of public schools.

How investigators say the threat came to light

The Canton Police Department said the investigation started with online posts that drew the FBI’s attention. After federal agents flagged the material, school district police were notified and the matter was passed to local law enforcement in Cherokee County.

That chain of tips set off a fast-moving response involving multiple agencies. Police have not released the contents of the posts, but they say the threats were serious enough to launch a criminal investigation and prompt arrests within days. Authorities have also said they are withholding some details to protect the integrity of the case and comply with legal requirements.

Officials did not say how many people may have seen the posts before the alarm was raised, but they emphasized that the matter was taken seriously from the beginning.

The suspects and the charges they face

Police identified one of the arrested suspects as Shane Keith Taylor, 17, of Metter, Georgia. A second suspect was named as Michael Brandon Terry, 21, of Chatsworth, California. A third suspect, described as a minor from Canton, was also arrested, though officials did not release that juvenile’s name.

All three were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, according to Canton police. The unnamed juvenile was additionally charged with disruption or interference with the operation of public schools. Police did not say whether the suspects had attorneys or whether they had entered any pleas.

Investigators also said they are still working the case, which means the arrests are not the end of the inquiry. The department has kept certain information sealed or undisclosed while it continues to gather evidence and review the circumstances surrounding the alleged plot.

Weapons, ammunition and devices collected as evidence

During the investigation, police collected firearms, ammunition and electronic devices they say will be used as evidence. Officials did not describe the weapons or the devices in detail, and they did not explain where the items were found.

That limited disclosure is part of the effort to preserve the case, police said. By not sharing every piece of evidence, investigators said they are trying to protect the integrity of the investigation while following applicable legal requirements.

Authorities have not said whether the seized items were linked directly to any planned attack date or whether they were intended for use at Cherokee High School. What police have made clear is that the material collected so far was enough to support criminal charges and continue the case.

Police say Cherokee High School faces no ongoing threat

In a statement Tuesday, investigators said they believe there is no ongoing threat to Cherokee High School or any other Cherokee County school. That assessment is central to the public safety message coming out of the case as the district and local law enforcement continue to review the incident.

Canton Police Chief Marty Ferrell praised the response from law enforcement partners and detectives who worked the case. He said the safety of students and school staff remains the department’s top priority and said every threat is treated seriously.

Police also urged parents to talk with children about reporting threats and to contact law enforcement if they become aware of any danger. Anyone with immediate emergency information is being told to call 911.

What happens next in the active investigation

The Canton Police Department said the investigation remains active, which suggests more interviews, evidence review or other law enforcement steps could still follow. Police have not said whether additional arrests are possible, and they have not disclosed a court timeline for the suspects already taken into custody.

Taylor was transported to the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center, while Terry was awaiting transport there, according to police. Officials did not immediately say where the third suspect was being held or whether that person had been moved to a juvenile facility.

Police are also asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Canton Police Department at 770-720-4883 or submit a tip to the FBI at tips.fbi.gov. The agencies say that if there is an immediate emergency, residents should call 911.