RESERVE — On Monday night, St. John the Baptist Parish’s sheriff, district attorney and public schools superintendent hosted a town hall with local parents to address the rise in student threats and school shootings.

The talk was put into action a day later when an East St. John High School student was arrested for felony terrorizing.

According to the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies were told a teacher and a group of students observed a 14-year-old student make a hand gesture to mimic a gun and point it at another student, then he told the teacher he was going to “shoot up the school.”

The student was arrested Tuesday and later released to the custody of his mother.

Sheriff Mike Tregre and Superintendent Kevin George have repeatedly said in recent weeks all threats to local schools would be investigated to the point of arrest if warranted.

“Over the past few weeks, St. John officers have been investigating a few threats, and have not found any that represent an active, ongoing credible threat at any parish school,” a Sheriff’s Office release said.

“The SJSO will continue to work with school officials to ensure the continued safety of all students and faculty at our local schools.”

Tregre asked parents to talk with their children about the recent school shootings and remind children not to share or spread rumors of threats on social media. If they see something of concern, they should bring it to the attention of an adult.

Making comments about bringing guns to school or shooting someone, even in a joking manner, can result in criminal charges for the student.