Overview
- The inquiry began after the FBI identified threatening social-media posts and alerted school police on Oct. 19, which prompted Canton detectives to open an investigation.
- A juvenile who lives in Canton was arrested on Oct. 20 and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and disruption of school operations; authorities are withholding the teen’s name because of age rules.
- Two additional suspects were arrested on Oct. 23: 17-year-old Shane Keith Taylor was taken into custody in Metter and booked into the Cherokee County jail, and 21-year-old Michael Brandon Terry was arrested in California and is awaiting extradition to Georgia.
- Searches connected to the case recovered firearms, ammunition and electronic devices, and arrest warrants say the suspects had a school floor plan, chose Aug. 20, 2027 as a target date, and discussed buying body armor, cameras and other gear.
- Officials say there is no known ongoing threat to Cherokee County schools, district leaders have increased on-campus security and counseling, and the multiagency investigation and extradition and court processes remain active.