Elizabethton Schools Respond to Social Media Threats
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. – In the past couple of days, our community has been on high alert as multiple schools in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia received possible threats circulating on social media. It seems like just when we start to relax after a busy summer, another wave of concern reminds us just how important safety in our schools is.
What Happened?
Most of the threats sent shockwaves through the Tri-Cities region, but thankfully, authorities and school officials have acted quickly to calm fears. Investigations have led to the conclusion that many of these threats are not credible. In fact, a juvenile has been arrested in connection with at least one of the school threats, and one high school even temporarily entered a precautionary lockdown on Thursday morning to ensure everyone’s safety.
A Close Eye on the Situation
Starting on Wednesday night, Carter County Schools took to social media to inform the community about a threat that emerged online. They were clear that partnering with local law enforcement was a priority to handle this matter seriously. By Thursday afternoon, the Carter County Sheriff’s Office conducted a thorough investigation and disclosed that the threats were not credible and traced from out of state, easing the minds of parents and students alike.
Investigating in Elizabethton
In Elizabethton, Police Chief Jason Shaw assured everyone on Thursday morning that they were aware of threats made via the “YourNext” platform. Further inquiries revealed the image used in these threats was actually a couple of years old and had no connections to the local area. That’s a relief, isn’t it?
Hawkins County Takes Action
Meanwhile, Hawkins County Schools were also on alert after receiving threats the night before. By Thursday, a person of interest was identified, and the sheriff’s office arrested a suspect believed to be behind the threats made against both Hawkins County and Rogersville City Schools. During this time, Volunteer High School took precautionary measures and entered a “Green Lockdown”, which kept students in class but secured the exterior of the school for less than an hour until the situation was under control.
The Johnson City Response
Back in Johnson City, an online threat had been detected, involving a so-called “hit list” that mentioned several schools across multiple states. Thankfully, the quick investigations by local authorities, including the Department of Homeland Security, confirmed that no schools within Johnson City were included on this list, allowing everyone to breathe a little easier.
Schools Across the Region on Alert
John Sevier Middle School in Kingsport also received a social media threat. Fortunately, thorough checks by the Kingsport Police established that the threat was not credible. On a positive note, they did ensure that school counselors were available for any students who might need some extra support during this stressful time.
Rogersville’s Recovery
At Rogersville City School, after receiving threats late on Wednesday night, local police took swift action, resulting in a suspect being arrested shortly after the school day began the next morning. Safety measures were ramped up, and police presence at the school was noticeably heightened, all in an effort to provide peace of mind.
Final Thoughts from Authorities
As of now, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office has deemed threats in their area as not credible, encouraging the community to report any suspicious threats to law enforcement instead of spreading them online. Lastly, a juvenile in Washington County was charged with multiple threats after alarming social media posts were traced back to local schools.
In times like this, it’s vital for us to work together and support our kids and educators. Everyone is on alert, but with swift action from local law enforcement and school districts, we can remained hopeful that our schools will stay safe. Let’s take extra care of each other as the community works to get past this unsettling situation.
