A 17-year-old teenager in Perry County has been taken into custody after making online threats that prompted the closure of all local schools on Monday. The Perry County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), in collaboration with the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, initiated an investigation after the post was discovered in a suicide chatroom.
The concerning message originated from someone claiming to have endured bullying, asserting that they were in possession of a gun and expressing intentions to “end it all.” This alarming content immediately spurred authorities to act swiftly to ensure the safety of students and staff across the district.
The following day, law enforcement arrested a teenage boy believed to be connected to the threatening post. Sheriff Nick Weems emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The threat to the safety of our children is not a game and will be prosecuted accordingly.”
One concerned parent, Cora Sanders, shared her reactions, recalling the stress of learning about the threat late at night via social media: “I was just kind of shocked, but I was glad that we were told last night instead of this morning.” She compared the sudden school closure to a snow day, pointing out that the fear and uncertainty made the situation far more unsettling. Despite the disruption, Sanders expressed confidence in the school system’s security measures and the professionalism of the school resource officers, as well as the sheriff and superintendent’s commitment to student safety.