A former student is in jail Friday after making a threat to shoot up Smiths Station High School and Smiths Station Junior High School

Lee County deputies and school resource officers began investigating after they received a call from a staff member at Smiths Station High School regarding the threat.

Immediately, Smiths Station High School, along with other Smiths Station schools, were moved to a heightened security level status.

Investigators and deputies worked with school officials in identifying the suspect. As they identified the suspect, Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones says, officials received another tip from a concerned citizen reporting the threat. The suspect was identified as Dontae Deshawn Ford, 18, a former student.

Ford was eventually contacted and taken to in custody at his home, located in the 6000 block of Lee Road 240.

“Investigators did not find any firearms on or around Ford at that time of his arrest,” sheriff’s office investigators said. “Ford was never physically on the school campus at any point.”

Investigators said Ford admitted to the threat and was arrested. Ford is charged with one count of making a terrorist threat in the first degree. 

He is being held in the Lee County Detention Center on a $15,000.00 bond with $2,000.00 cash required. 

“He is also not allowed on any school or educational facility property,” according to officials.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 334-749-5651 or Central Alabama Crime Stoppers at 334-215-STOP (7867)