School threats lead to arrests across Tennessee

Anyone making threats or inciting fear within schools and communities across Tennessee will not be tolerated. Those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

That is the message issued last week by president of the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association (TSA) - Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy.

“One of the main goals of an Elected Sheriff is to provide quality safety and ensure citizens feel secure in their surroundings. With the increased volume of school threats being made across the state of Tennessee, we want parents, students and citizens to know that we will not tolerate anyone making threats and inciting fear within our schools and community. Those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Making threats of violence against a school is a class E felony offense TCA 38-16-517, which carries life-altering consequences,” Cassidy noted in a press release issued by the TSA on Friday.

The following are social media posts over the course of seven days from the Clay County School System:

After school hours on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Clay County Sheriff's Department received a report that a Hermitage Springs School student had allegedly made a threat of school violence. Tennessee Homeland Security and the Clay County Sheriff's Department have thoroughly investigated this report. Pursuant to Tennessee‘s new school safety law, the Hermitage Springs School threat assessment team met this morning, and appropriate measures have been taken to deem all schools in Clay County safe for attendance.

On September 13, 2024 at 9:35 am, Clay County Schools was made aware of a possible threat of school violence against a school in Monroe County, Kentucky. For that reason, all Clay County Schools will be in a soft lockdown today September 13, 2024, while authorities in Monroe County, Kentucky continue their investigation. This means that outside visitors are prohibited from entering schools, and PE, recess, and all subject classes will be held inside the school building.The safety of all our students is the top priority. Clay County Sheriff’s Department and TN Homeland Security will continue to be vigilant in monitoring this situation. We apologize for any inconvenience or stress this may cause you or your child.

On September 13, 2024 at 3 pm, Clay County Schools was made aware of a possible threat of school violence for September 13, 2024, allegedly posted on social media. Tennessee Homeland Security and the Clay County Sheriff's Department will thoroughly investigate this report. For this reason, all Clay County Schools will remain in a soft lockdown during this investigation. This means that outside visitors are prohibited from entering schools, and PE, recess, and all subject classes will be held inside the school building.The safety of all our students is the top priority. Clay County Sheriff’s Department and TN Homeland Security will continue to be vigilant in monitoring this situation. We apologize for any inconvenience or stress this may cause you or your child.

On September 16, 2024, Clay County Sheriff’s Department received a report of a possible threat of school violence against students at Hermitage Springs School. For that reason, Hermitage Springs School will be in a soft lockdown today September 16, 2024, while authorities from TN Homeland Security and Clay County Sheriff's Department continue their investigation. This means that outside visitors are prohibited from entering schools, and PE, recess, and all subject classes will be held inside the school building. This soft lockdown only includes Hermitage Springs School; all other schools in Clay County are operating normally. The safety of all our students is the top priority. Clay County Sheriff’s Department and TN Homeland Security will continue to be vigilant in monitoring this situation. We apologize for any inconvenience or stress this may cause you or your child.

Throughout last week, there were multiple school threats throughout West, Middle and East Tennessee. News outlets and school systems on Thursday, Sept. 12 and Friday, Sept. 13, reported a similar theme - threats of school violence forcing multiple lockdowns. Tennessee wasn’t the only state to field numerous threats last week.

According to an article posted by Campus Safety magazine on Sept. 12, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Missouri, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, Minnesota, Iowa and California faced similar threats targeted at their schools. Dozens of arrests were reported by each of the states, including 15 juvenile arrests just in east Tennessee last week. The ages of juveniles arrested for making threats range from 10-14 years old. The bulk of the threats were reportedly made by students on TikTok and Snapchat social media apps.

News reports also showed students arrested in Nebraska and Oklahoma last week for bringing a gun to school.

“We urge parents to monitor what their child is posting on social media platforms and talk to them about the seriousness of making or even sharing threatening posts. As always, we continue to urge the community to report anything suspicious or potentially threatening in nature toward schools or any public building. We understand the frustration, stress and fear communities across our state are dealing with, and we will continue to investigate every threat received in an effort to ensure the safety of our schools and all citizens,” Cassidy added.

The 113th Tennessee General Assembly passed a law last year that could result in suspension and expulsion for students who are found guilty of mass threats of school violence.

These incidents followed a school shooting in Winder, Georgia, on Sept. 4 after a 14-year-old killed two students and two teachers using an AR-15-style rifle at Apalachee High School.

Sabrina Bates, sabrina@richardsonmediagroup.net