Lavonia bomb threat suspect arrested

A suspect in Sunday’s bomb threat incident has been located and arrested after confessing to the crime, says Lavonia Police Chief Bruce Carlisle. The suspect was identified early on in the investigation but locating him prove to be difficult.

“After the bomb threat on Sunday afternoon, investigators were able to identify a potential suspect early on in the investigation. They were met with some challenges as to where the individual was and in their effort to reach him, but after they overcame those challenges they were able to make contact with the individual,” said Carlisle.

As many might guess, the suspect is a former employee of McDonald’s.

“It turned out to be a past employee of McDonald’s. The past employee had left under unfavorable circumstances and was disgruntled. During the investigation and subsequent interview, he admitted he is the one who called in the bomb threat to McDonald’s. He did confirm there was never a bomb and no one was ever in any type of danger,” said Carlisle.

Carlisle then identifies the suspect and lists the charges against him.

“The suspect is identified as Keyshawn Wilkins, 23 years of age, of Lavonia. He has been charged with one count of terroristic threats and acts and one count of transmitting a false public alarm. He has been arrested and is being housed in the Franklin County Jail,” said Carlisle.\

The bomb threat was called in at around lunchtime on Sunday, July 22. The restaurant was cleared and searched by the Lavonia Police Department. After the officers were sure no bomb existed, employees and customers were allowed back into the restaurant.