OPELIKA, Ala. — Opelika police arrested an 18-year-old Opelika man on Monday, Aug. 31, and charged him with making a terrorist threat, first degree, after an investigation into what the department described as a planned violent attack on Opelika High School.
The Opelika Police Department identified the man as Jacob Scott Howell of Opelika.
According to the department, school resource officers received the initial report on Friday, Aug. 28, after school had been released for the day, indicating that Howell had developed a plan to attack the high school. The officers immediately notified Opelika City Schools leadership, police said.
Howell was not at school on Monday and has since been banned from all Opelika City Schools properties, according to the release.
Opelika police detectives established probable cause over the weekend and took Howell into custody Monday, the department said.
“The department reminds all community members to remain vigilant: if you see or hear anything suspicious, report it immediately to law enforcement,” the release said.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Opelika Police Department at (334) 705-5200 or the Secret Witness Hotline at (334) 745-8665. Tips may also be submitted through the Opelika Police mobile app, and callers may remain anonymous.
Information in this report comes from an Opelika Police Department media release issued Aug. 31, 2026. A criminal charge is an accusation; a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Was this a realistic threat or a kid running his mouth? One is very scary and dumb, one is very dumb and a kid ruined just his life.