Friday, September 6, 2024–5:50 p.m.
-John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
The FBI and GBI are reporting an increase in school-related hoax threats since four people were killed in a school shooting at Apalachee High School earlier this week.
Locally, Rome City Schools sent out a precautionary lockdown notice to parents Friday at noon after threats were reported at Cartersville Middle School.
“There is no active threat at Rome City,” RCS Superintendent Eric Holland said. “This is in relation to the reported threats in Cartersville.”
Information was shared with the Rome Police Department earlier today implying that a student not on site made a threat of violence. Because we take all threats seriously, the Criminal Investigation Division began working a case immediately, and Rome City Schools made the decision to implement a lockdown,” Kelly Madden, the public information officer with the Rome Police Department said in a statement. “All students, staff and buildings are safe. This lockdown is a precautionary measure as no immediate danger has been noted.”
School Security Director John Fricks said they made the decision for a precautionary lockdown because of the environment following a school shooting in Barrow County earlier this week but emphasized that there have been no threats made toward Rome students or teachers.
Multiple news outlets have reported that 11 juveniles and one adult in Georgia have been arrested and accused of making school threats this week after the school shooting in Barrow County.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that students have been arrested in Clarke, Forsyth, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Newton and Oconee counties and charged with making terroristic threats.
“Law enforcement wants to remind the public that making specific threats on social media will be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” an FBI representative said in a statement.
Cartersville Middle School received an anonymous call at 9:50 a.m. that an unknown male was on his way to the school with a firearm.
“As the Cartersville Police Department takes all threats seriously, especially those relating to the safety of our children, an investigation was launched, and a soft lockdown of all schools in the district was ordered,” Cartersville police stated in a release.
Cartersville police searched the school and grounds and investigators determined that no threat existed towards students or faculty and lifted the lockdown.
Floyd County Schools Superintendent Glenn White said decided to go into lockdown Friday but implemented increased security measures and central office staff, including himself, were at the school locations on Friday.
“Floyd County Schools understands that concerns about school safety are at an all-time high. We want to assure you that the safety and well-being of our students and staff are our top priorities,” White said in a statement. “While numerous calls have been received at the district office and our schools, upon investigation, there is no credible evidence of threats in Floyd County Schools at this time. Floyd County Schools is taking additional safety measures out of an abundance of caution.”