Crime & Safety

Student Arrested and Charged Over Shooting Hoax Makes Bond

The aunt of the high school student says it was "just a game."

The Flowery Branch High School student who was arrested Tuesday for posting comments about a possible shooting that was to occur at the school is out of jail.

Tiffani Torres, 18, of Flowery Branch, posted a $1000 bond late Tuesday afternoon, according to Sgt. Kiley Sargent of the Hall County Sheriff's Office.

Torres is charged with one count of disruption of a public school after an investigation determined that she had written on Instagram, a social media site, that a shooting was to occur at the school.

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But a family member told 11 Alive News that it was a big misunderstanding. "She's not mentally unstable and all the things I've seen so far posted," said Torres' aunt, Jolie Dienes. "It was just a game. It was not supposed to turn into this."

What it did turn into was a disruption at the school, according to authorities.

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While the comments did not mention a specific date, time or location the alleged shooting was to occur, the comments were seen by several Flowery Branch High School students who alerted their parents on Monday morning.

What occurred next was a large number of parents rushing to the school to pick up their children shortly after classes began.

The school was never placed on lockdown, but adults did set up watch at all of the entrances and exits until investigators determined there were no weapons inside, according to 11 Alive News.

What are your thoughts about the school shooting hoax? Tell us in comments.

Editor's Note: An arrest does not indicate a conviction.


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