GASTONIA, N.C. -- A Gaston County teenager pleads guilty to threatening to shoot up two local high schools earlier this year.
At a Tuesday court appearance, 17-year-old Shiquan Ratchford received an eight to 19-month prison sentence after he admitted to posting threats on Facebook at Hunter Huss High School and Stuart Cramer High School.
Ratchford's attorney, Rocky Lutz, said his client was stressed because he was about to become a father and his own father was just sent to prison.
"As a result, he unfortunately and immaturely vented out some of his frustrations," Lutz said, on behalf of Ratchford.
Ratchford posted the threats under an alias Facebook account, which said, "[Expletive] I will shoot up Hunter Huss High School."
He posted a similar message threatening Stuart Cramer High School, and he also made specific threats toward Hunter Huss administrators.
Ratchford will receive credit for time he's already served in jail.