Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Responds to School Threats

PRESS RELEASE – Stephens County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement following multi-day investigations into school threats:

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) has been diligently investigating a series of threats made against Stephens County Middle School over the weekend of March 22-24, 2024.

The initial incident involved pre-recorded phone calls received by several students, detailing threats within the school premises. Upon receiving this alarming information, deputies, investigators, and School Resource Officers (SROs) promptly initiated an investigation, interviewing all parties involved and conducting a comprehensive sweep of the school facilities. Fortunately, it was determined that the calls were a prank, and the school was found to be secure.

However, on March 25, 2024, further threats came to light, echoing the previous incident. Once again, law enforcement swiftly responded, confirming that the threats were connected to the original hoax.

Subsequently, on March 26, 2024, rumors of threats resurfaced through social media, originating from a third-party account circulating via group text. The SCSO immediately launched yet another investigation, tracing the threats back to the initial incident.

Sheriff Randy Shirley emphasizes, “The safety of the students and staff are paramount, and we take all threats seriously.” The SCSO urges parents and students to report any suspicious activity promptly and directly to local law enforcement.

Furthermore, the SCSO expresses disappointment in the dissemination of dramatic and potentially harmful information through social media platforms. “Such actions only serve to incite panic and jeopardize the safety of our community. As we have seen recently, the spread of unfound malicious information could result in actions taken by the school and/or possible criminal charges,” Sheriff Shirley cautions.

In collaboration with the Stephens County School System, the SCSO remains committed to providing accurate and timely information to the public. The partnership has resulted in increased School Resource Officers deployed across all schools within the county, enhancing safety measures for students and staff.

Sheriff Shirley assures the community, “We are dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of our schools. Our ongoing efforts underscore our unwavering commitment to this mission.”