South Carolina man charged with making school shooting threats, US Attorney says

An Upstate man has been charged in a federal complaint for making shooting threats about several schools in Anderson County. WYFF News 4 previously reported that the FBI and Homeland Security officials were assisting Anderson County authorities after several threats were made. On Friday, U.S. Attorney Corey F. Ellis said Jonathan Trent Patterson, 22, of Belton, is charged for electronically transmitting multiple shooting threats relating to several schools in Anderson County.“I want to first let everyone in the Upstate know that we are not aware of any physical harm that occurred as a result of these threats, and the suspect is in custody and thus at this time does not pose a danger to the community,” said Ellis. “While these charges speak for themselves, this office aggressively investigates and, where appropriate, prosecutes threats of violence and acts of violence. This is especially true when anyone threatens harm against our schools, and recent events confirm these threats must be taken seriously. Responding to these cases requires a team approach, and I especially want to thank our partners at the FBI and Sheriff Chad McBride and the rest of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.”Patterson appeared in federal court Friday afternoon, where federal prosecutors said he is responsible for a number of recent threats to Anderson County schools."From April 18 of this year through May 30, this individual has sent approximately 50 different email and fax messages containing threats to approximately 26 different individuals using 17 different phone numbers," said Max Cauthen, Assistant United States Attorney. "(He) also sent messages to five different states containing threats to shoot up a school and harm individuals," It comes after a series of previously reported school threats. The most recent threat was May 28. That threat prompted a message to be sent to parents and guardians of students at Wren Middle School, Wren High School and Concrete Primary in Anderson School District 1. A parent told WYFF News 4 that the message indicated increased police presence surrounding all schools due to a threatening message received via fax.Court documents show a series of messages, including one on April 18 which was a fax to Belton Honea Path High School. In part, it said, 'I'm shooting up the school soon."The next day, an Anderson District 2 employee received an email which said, in part, 'I'm going to shoot up the (expletive) school if you don't let me graduate or just because I want to LOL." Threats also canceled classes at all Tri-County Technical College campuses on May 27.Investigators said he was responsible for that too. Documents revealed he went to school there and was expelled in 2021. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Max Cauthen and Everett E. McMillian are prosecuting the case. Federal prosecutors praised the collaborative effort. "Anderson County (Sheriff's Office) was very involved and ultimately worked closely with the FBI. That collaboration, that at the ready, quick response time hopefully helped us avert tragedy today," said First Assistant United State Attorney Lance Crick.