More Details Released In Tippecanoe Valley School Threat Case
David Edward Helton
KOSCIUSKO — More details have been released in a case involving a Tippecanoe Valley High School student making threats of violence to students and faculty.
David Edward Helton, 18, 4789 W. CR 950S, Silver Lake, is being charged with two counts of intimidation, both level 6 felonies; and disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor.
On Feb. 4, the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office was made aware that a Tippecanoe Valley student was making threats of violence to students and faculty at the school.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Helton had made threats over Facebook Messenger to shoot students at the school and the vice-principal.
At approximately 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, Fulton County officials alerted the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office of the threats. As a result of the information received, deputies proceeded to Helton’s rural Silver Lake residence.
Helton admitted that sometime between December 2018 through Feb. 3, 2019, he threatened to shoot students and the vice-principal at Tippecanoe Valley High School.
The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office reported that a meeting was conducted with Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation administrators early Tuesday morning, Feb. 5, where it was determined that the threat had been neutralized.
Helton was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail Tuesday, Feb. 5, with a $20,250 surety and cash bond. Court documents also state that any firearms owned by Helton be surrendered to law enforcement. A no-contact order was also established. Documents do not state further details about the no-contact order.
In the press release issued from Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation’s administration offices, the school district said “TVSC and all law enforcement agencies involved would like to encourage any students or adults who learn of school safety concerns to contact the administration, law enforcement authorities or use the Safe School Zone! link on the TVSC Home webpage at www.tippecanoevalleyschools.com. Your reports are confidential and will be acted upon quickly.”
