ROCKWOOD, Tenn. (WVLT) – Several law enforcement agencies in Roane County, Morgan County and Loudon County are investigating a string of school threats, with several students being taken into custody.
The news comes from District Attorney General Russell Johnson as waves of posts on social media speculate about what happened at Rockwood High School this week.
According to Johnson, a person or group of people have been circulating two “vague and non-specific” posts threatening violence at Rockwood High School, but those posts are four years old.
Previous Coverage: Number of people charged for Knox County school threats jumps to 23, DA says
“The original post was made by a troubled child who was evaluated and provided services four years ago and is now doing well,” Johnson said. “By reposting and presenting the old posts as current, it has caused issues for the child and the parents unfairly and unjustifiably. This is yet another confusing and disappointing aspect of adult use of social media.”
Johnson also said the person or group who’s dredging up the old posts likely have some animosity towards Roane County law enforcement, but he did not say how specifically.
While the Rockwood incident is getting the most attention, there have been other instances of school threats in Johnson’s jurisdiction.
The district attorney general said a Wartburg Elementary School student was charged Wednesday for statements they made in class.
Also on Wednesday, Johnson said, a Roane County High School student was charged for making their own statements. That student was being held at the Knox County Juvenile Detention Center as of Thursday afternoon and is expected to stay there until their Sept. 30 hearing.
Thursday, Johnson said, two Cherokee Middle School students were charged. One of the students made a verbal threat, Johnson said, and the other falsely reported a threat last week.
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The news about Rockwood and the other schools also came with a plea that’s been echoed by school leaders and law enforcement across East Tennessee in the past few days.
“Parents, please talk to your children about these issues and be patient with law enforcement and the process,” Johnson said. “The Director of Schools especially requested that you make your children aware that if they see, hear, or read about a threat – have them share it with a schoolteacher or administrator. Do not spread it on social media or text messages to exacerbate the disruption, share it with the people in charge of the classroom or school.”
Johnson said the threats, real or fake, are taking up sheriff’s office and police resources and disrupting learning all across the area. It’s a sentiment shared by Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler and School Superintendent Dr. Jon Rysewyk.
Previous Coverage: ‘We’ve made it very clear’ | Knox County sheriff vows to crack down on school threats
“Many counties are still receiving and investigating ‘threats’, the vast majority of which are unfounded and are made to cause disruption, confusion and even cause chaos,” Johnson said.
He also offered words of understanding for parents, may of whom have spoken out on social media about a lack of communication from the Roane County Sheriff’s Office and school system.
“Many of us here at this office have children and/or grandchildren in school in this district or surrounding counties. We share the same concern and confusion as each of the parents with children in our schools,” Johnson said. “The Roane County Sheriff’s Office has asked me to inform you that if they feel that a threat is credible and harm is imminent, they will immediately act. They would not be sending their own children to Roane County Schools if they thought they were placing them in danger.”
WVLT News has reached out to both Roane County Schools and the Roane County Sheriff’s Office.
A representative for RCS did not give a statement when we called Thursday morning, instead posting a statement to Facebook Thursday afternoon.
In light of the recent increase in threats against our schools, I want to assure you that we are working closely with the Roane County Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Department of Homeland Security to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community. The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we are taking every necessary step to address these threats with the utmost seriousness.
We ask for your continued support and cooperation as we work with local law enforcement to keep our schools secure. Together, through vigilance and partnership, we will navigate these challenges and maintain a safe environment for all.
Thank you for your trust and cooperation during this time.
The sheriff’s office has not responded to requests for comment.
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