CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A middle-school student in Clarksville has been criminally charged with making a threat of school violence on social media.
On Friday, a threat was made on Instagram by the student at New Providence Middle School, according to Clarksville-Montgomery County School System spokesman Anthony Johnson. After a law enforcement investigation, the student was identified and confessed to making the post.
The student, who is not being named, was charged with threat of mass violence on school property, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office told Clarksville Now on Monday.
Citing privacy rules, CMCSS has not confirmed whether the student has been expelled. However, CMCSS has a zero-tolerance policy for threats, so expulsion is mandated.
In a letter to parents Friday morning, prior to the student being identified, NPMS Principal Melanie Steinlage explained the situation and said there was increased law enforcement at the school. “Please be assured that the safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and we take every safety concern very seriously,” she said.
“We want to emphasize the importance of discussing with your children the seriousness and consequences of making threats. Under state law, any individual who threatens violence on school property or at a school-related event – through any form of communication – can face legal consequences. … In numerous cases, students have made threatening statements they claimed were jokes. Making a threat is not a joke, and the consequences are serious,” Steinlage said.
Later that afternoon, Steinlage sent parents a follow-up letter saying the student had been identified and thanked law enforcement for their assistance and diligence.
“Families, please partner with us to monitor student’s online activity and reinforce expectations for appropriate behavior,” she said, providing the following resources:
- CMCSS Homeland Security Internet Safety Presentation:
DON’T MISS A STORY: Sign up for the free daily Clarksville Now email newsletter
