Stephens Co Sheriff’s Office Investigates Threats Against Middle School

By Jessica Waters, WNEG Radio

In Stephens County, Sheriff Randy Shirley announced Wednesday that his Office has been investigating a series of threats made against Stephens County Middle School between March 22 and March 24.

Shirley said the initial incident involved pre-recorded phone calls received by several students, detailing threats within the school premises.

After receiving that information, deputies, investigators, and School Resource Officers initiated an investigation, interviewing all parties involved and conducting a comprehensive sweep of the school facilities.

Shirley said Wednesday investigators determined that the calls were a prank, and the school was found to be secure.

However, he said, on March 25, further threats came to light, echoing the previous incident.

Once again, law enforcement responded and confirmed that the threats were connected to the original hoax.

Subsequently, on Tuesday, March 26, rumors of threats resurfaced through social media, originating from a third-party account circulating via a group text.

The Sheriff said his office launched another investigation, tracing the threats back to the initial incident.

Shirley urged parents and students to report any suspicious activity promptly and directly to local law enforcement.

He said the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office quote, “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 unfounded malicious information could result in actions taken by the school and/or possible criminal charges.”

Similar threats were made to schools in Franklin County last year and were found to be a hoax.