From Starbuck v. Williamsburg James City County School Bd., decided yesterday by the Fourth Circuit (Judge Diana Gribbon Motz, joined by Chief Judge Roger Gregory and Judge James Wynn):
{Because the district court dismissed this case on a Rule 12(b)(6) motion, we relate the facts as set forth in Starbuck's amended complaint.} On February 15, 2018, the day after the horrific mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Jonathan Starbuck engaged in a conversation with his classmates about the shooting. Starbuck alleges that "[n]o student within the conversation made any threat" and that the conversation was factual. Starbuck "made remarks questioning the intent of the shooter, stating that the shooter would be capable of more harm had he wanted to, noting [the shooter's] possession of explosives and considering the time the shooter was left alone within the building unchallenged by local law enforcement." A teacher overheard the conversation and reported it to the local police and school administration.
As a result, the school removed Starbuck from classes for the remainder of the school day. During that time, which Starbuck refers to as an "in-school suspension," he alleges that various school officials "interrogat[ed]" him. The "[s]chool [p]olice officer … investigated and cleared the [teacher's] report as unfounded" because the officer concluded "there was no threat made and no criminal offense … occurred."
