Metal detectors were in use when students returned to Socastee High Wednesday.
Security measures were heightened at Socastee High School in the wake of Tuesday's shooting. Metal detectors were in use when students returned Wednesday.
In addition to walking through metal detectors, students' possessions were searched.
Horry County Schools spokesperson Teal Britton says metal detectors are an important tool in a school's safety plan, but they were just one step taken Wednesday to make students and staff feel safe.
Police and staff showed up an hour early to get ready for the students, who showed up an hour later.
Many parents asked why metal detectors weren't in use Tuesday, the day of the shooting. Britton says the amount of personnel and time needed to run 1,400 students through metal detectors makes it virtually impossible to do every day. "Had they been set up yesterday doesn't mean that the suspect in question could not have gotten that weapon on campus in some other kind of way."
A Twitter page believed to belong to the student suspect is getting a lot of attention - mostly because it contains what appears to be advanced warning of a threat, but yet no one who read the posts came forward. Britton said, "The best defense for a school is for its student body to be able to and have the courage to tell an adult when something isn't right."
Police officers will remain on campus throughout the week.
