Uniontown Area High School student arrested for shooting threat
An 18-year-old Uniontown Area High School student was arrested Monday for allegedly making threats about a school shooting reportedly planned for Tuesday.
Tate Nathanial Ternitsky of Belle Vernon told investigators he had no intentions of hurting anyone, and did not have weapons. Police searched his bag, which did not have any weapons in it, according to court paperwork.
Fayette County District Attorney Rich Bower and police have held recent assemblies at schools to speak about the severity of threats and consequences. After an assembly at the Uniontown Area School District Friday, Ternitsky allegedly commented it would be easy to shoot up the school. The student denied making that statement, court documents said.
Multiple students reported to school district police Chief Donald Gmitter they overheard Ternitsky making threats. In first period Monday, he allegedly said he could shoot through the glass and then through the open window at students. One of those students also reported he would use a shotgun with three-round bursts. That student was unaware of specific targets, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case.
A third student reported Ternitsky told him “Don’t come to school on time. Come late,” referring to Tuesday.
A fourth student said Ternitsky “did not seem himself” that day, court documents said.
He admitted making statements during first period Friday, but said they were a joke, police said.
One of his friends, sophomore Alyssa Holt, said Ternitsky’s statements were taken out of context.
“He never spoke of any ill intentions, or rather any intentions. All the comments that Tate made were observations on our school’s security,” she said.
Holt said backpack scanners and metal detectors give students a false sense of security, and Ternitsky was pointing out ways that a shooting could still occur with the additional measures.
“I’m standing by Tate,” she said.
He is charged with risking catastrophe — a felony — and misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.
Ternitsky was arrested by Uniontown City Police and arraigned Monday afternoon by Magisterial District Judge Michael Metros. He was released on a $100,000 unsecured bond. Court documents indicate he posted bail Monday. He does not have an attorney listed.