Archived News

Tuscola High School student arrested for threats of mass violence

A 16-year-old Tuscola High School student was arrested by Haywood County Sheriff’s Office deputies Thursday afternoon, April 18, and charged with a felony after telling fellow students he planned to commit mass acts of violence at the school the following day.

 

Deputies arrested Jonathan Miller Tingle of Clyde shortly after 3:30 p.m. and charged him with making a false report of mass violence on educational property — a Class I felony, according to Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher.

Tingle is alleged to have told classmates he planned to “commemorate” the anniversary of the school shootings at Columbine High School on Friday. The Columbine massacre occurred on April 20, 1999, in Colorado.

“We take these situations very seriously,” Christopher said. “School safety is of the upmost importance to us. We will continue to diligently work to protect our children, as well as the teachers and staff in our schools.”

Tingle was jailed in lieu of $10,000 secured bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for May 1.

Smokey Mountain News Logo
SUPPORT THE SMOKY MOUNTAIN NEWS AND
INDEPENDENT, AWARD-WINNING JOURNALISM
Go to top
Payment Information

/

At our inception 20 years ago, we chose to be different. Unlike other news organizations, we made the decision to provide in-depth, regional reporting free to anyone who wanted access to it. We don’t plan to change that model. Support from our readers will help us maintain and strengthen the editorial independence that is crucial to our mission to help make Western North Carolina a better place to call home. If you are able, please support The Smoky Mountain News.

The Smoky Mountain News is a wholly private corporation. Reader contributions support the journalistic mission of SMN to remain independent. Your support of SMN does not constitute a charitable donation. If you have a question about contributing to SMN, please contact us.