2 TEENAGERS HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER AFTER THREATS TO SCHOOL

Alfred Dupree and Victoria McCurley, both 17, will be charged as adults over threats they made concerning Etowah High School, Cherokee County sheriff's spokeswoman Sgt. Marianne Kelley said Wednesday.

Their first court appearance is scheduled for noon Thursday.

Authorities discovered the duo threatened specific people, whose identities have not been released, at the high school. They also had a homemade incendiary device.

Dupree, of Acworth, and McCurley, of Woodstock, each face three counts of criminal attempt to commit murder and four counts of making terroristic threats and acts.

Police believe the students were friends and not romantically involved.

Police believe the threats, which were directed at staff and the school itself, could have been "moved forward with," which resulted in multiple counts of the charges, Kelley said.

Someone called in a tip about the students' plans, which prompted the investigation, Kelley said.

Investigators met with Dupree and his family Sunday night before taking the student for a medical evaluation, Kelley said. A diary was taken from Dupree and officials learned of McCurley's involvement at that time.

Statements were made concerning what the students wanted to do and what their intentions were, but those statements were not made on social media sites, Kelley said.

"Most of the information we received was from the personal diary, what was written down," Kelley said. "It's still an open investigation."

Officials secured a search warrant for both students' homes and found the flammable incendiary device at McCurley's house, Kelley said.

Along with Dupree's personal journal, police found firearms and an undetermined powdered substance.

"Both substances were turned over to the GBI to have them tested and determine the chemical material," Kelley said.

The firearms, which Dupree's family turned over to authorities, are not being considered evidence, Kelley said.

As she was about to share words for concerned parents, Kelley got choked up in the interview. "We take this very seriously," she said.

The arrest warrants were sealed by Chief Magistrate James Drane III, Kelley said.

In a letter emailed to parents Tuesday, principal Robert Horn said Etowah is no longer in danger, the accused students face disciplinary action and there is no need for additional security.

Authorities said the accused students also face charges of criminal attempt to commit arson and possession or transportation of a destructive device or explosive intending to kill, injure or destroy any public building.