Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) became the latest district in Tennessee to respond to threats of school violence on social media Wednesday, when leaders placed several schools on lockdown.¶
In a Wednesday afternoon press conference, MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins said the district made the decision after receiving threats against Southwind High School via phone and social media that morning. ¶
“The Shelby County Sheriff’s Department responded to Southwind High School and the school was placed on lockdown as a precautionary measure,” she said. “The district was then alerted to a series of social media posts at several schools across the city, and we activated lockdown measures at all of our campuses as a precautionary measure.”¶
Feagins said district leaders believe that those additional social media posts with threats were a “result of reposts and resharing,” but added that the district will “take all threats seriously.” She said local law enforcement is working together with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to investigate the threats further moving forward.¶
“At the preliminary stages of the investigation, what we know right now is that three individuals are detained and being questioned for a threat made to Whitehaven High School. This incident is separate from Southwind High School threats. A second social media post for Southwind High School is still under investigation,” she said.¶
“As we received additional information and posts, it became 10 high schools, and then 15 schools and then of course, it spread across the city, and so that’s when we activated lockdown across all of our campuses, because that was just the best next step to take as we were unsure at that moment just how immediate the crisis or threat was.”¶
According to a social media post that afternoon from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the district was able to dismiss students as scheduled after local law enforcement further assessed the threats.¶
“As our investigation progresses, we no longer see an immediate threat. We have agreed with Memphis Shelby County Schools to proceed with student dismissal,” the post read.¶
The concern also extended beyond district run schools.¶
Freedom Prep Charter Schools in Memphis posted on social media that it closed schools on Thursday “out of an abundance of caution due to recent threats made toward our schools.”¶
“After careful consideration and close communication with the Memphis Police Department and other local safety officials, we believe this is the best decision to prioritize the safety and well-being of our students, staff and families,” the post read. “The safety of everyone at Freedom Prep remains our highest priority, and we will continue working closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation.¶
“We will keep you updated as new information becomes available, and we ask for your continued patience and trust during this time. Please rest assured that we are doing everything possible to protect our students and staff.” ¶
School threats spread on social media by students has become an issue for a number of school districts across the state.¶
This week Rutherford County Schools announced students have been arrested for spreading false threats and last week Williamson County Schools sent parents an email to debunk claims of a “school threat” list.¶
