The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Deputy Unit investigated separate threats of mass violence on school properties Tuesday, according to a news release from the office.
The first incident happened at Hixson Middle School, where the sheriff’s office school resource deputy was informed that a student stated he was going to “shoot the gym up.” During the investigation, statements were gathered from several witnesses and a confession was obtained from the student, the news release said.
The second incident occurred at about 10:45 a.m. when the sheriff’s office school resource deputy assigned to Red Bank Middle was made aware of a student who claimed that he had a bomb in his backpack. This statement was made to other students, who reported the incident. An investigation was immediately conducted, and the student confessed to making the statement, according to the news release.
The third incident was at Soddy Daisy Middle School, where the sheriff’s office school resource deputy was told by school staff about a threat made by a student. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the student threatened to “shoot the school up.”
All three students were placed into custody and taken to the Hamilton County Juvenile Detention Center and are being charged with threats of mass violence, the release said.
There is no threat to any of the students or faculty of these schools at this time, according to the release.
‘SECURE MODE’
Soddy Daisy High School and Daisy Elementary were temporarily placed in “secure mode” Wednesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a threat, according to officials.
The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office reported a threat shortly before 8:40 a.m., and the county’s emergency alerts system sent out a message.
The campuses were cleared around 9 a.m., according to the alert system.
Amy Maxwell, spokesperson for the Hamilton County Office of Emergency Management, said by phone the sheriff’s office did not specify what the nature of the threat was.
The school was secured due to the law enforcement activity, district spokesperson Steve Doremus said in an email.
“Secure means all doors locked, no one in or out,” Doremus said. “Activity inside continues as scheduled.”
— Compiled by Jody Park, Ellen Gerst