Former grad issues bomb threat at JHS
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

A former graduate of Jasper High School described as "disillusioned with life" was arrested and charged in connection with an Internet terroristic threat made against the school.

Jasper Police arrested Darrin Hubbard, 19, of Jasper, Wednesday, Dec. 12, after authorities received information on the threat posted on the Internet site "MySpace.com."

"He fit the profile of someone who is capable of doing something," Hunter said. "I think he's just disillusioned with things going on in his life right now.

"This is a gentleman that did well in school and has been out of school for more than a year," Hunter said. "Everyone at the school said he was an outstanding kid."

Hunter said a person with access to Hubbard's blog read the threat as well as the posting of a hit list. The threat indicated Hubbard had planned to blow up the high school as well as two apartment complexes in Jasper on Thursday, Dec. 13.

"Early on, an officer with computer expertise determined (Hubbard) was online at the time we found the threat and within 30 minutes we had his address and had him in custody," Hunter said. "We checked his home and didn't find any weapons or bomb-making devices."

Police also found a hit list made by Hubbard on his blog indicating persons he wished to harm. Hunter stressed the hit list did not contain any names of current students or JHS faculty members.

"We have found out that many of the people on his hit list are personal friends of his," Hunter said. "We have contacted all the names on his hit list to inform them.

Initially, police believed the bomb threat was set for Wednesday, Dec. 12, and went directly to the campus to evacuate the school.

"The school didn't evacuate nor was there a need to evacuate," Hunter said. "There was no imminent threat. The suspect was in custody before we could even arrange for any evacuation of the campus. He told us he didn't intend to carry it out but that doesn't justify him putting it online."

Hunter confirmed the two complexes that Hubbard threatened in his blog were the Pollard Street Apartments and Sweetbriar Apartments.

Hunter said his department increased security around the high school when the threat was discovered.

"We patrolled the campus (Thursday, Dec. 13) just to give the parents, students and faculty piece of mind," Hunter said.

Hunter admitted that he is concerned that this threat may cause copycat threats to be made against the campus.

"That has been my concern since this started," Hunter said.