Since school began in Macon County, two separate threats have been made – one at Franklin High School on Sept. 6; and another at Nantahala School on Sept. 9.
The Macon County Sheriff’s Office released a statement regarding the most recent threat.
“Nantahala School administration received information that a student made a threat of violence against the school. The student in question was interviewed and charged with the following: one felony count of Communicating a Threat of Mass Violence on Educational Property. No further information will be released on the student as they are a juvenile. We want to urge parents to speak with their children about how their words matter. In this day and age, we have zero tolerance for any comments made that put any Macon County school’s safety into question. Macon County Sheriff’s Office and Macon County Schools’ top priority is the safety of our children and we will continue to thoroughly investigate any potential threats to school safety. Those who are found to have communicated threats regarding school safety will be charged accordingly.”
A statement from the Macon County School System was also released.
“We are thankful for the partnership between our schools, the Macon County Sheriff’s Office, and our students and staff who were involved in reporting this incident. Let this serve as a reminder that any and all threats are taken very seriously. If you see or hear something, report it!”
Last week, Sheriff Brent Holbrooks reiterated the seriousness of these recent threats.
“Due to incidents that have occurred in recent years, law enforcement and school systems take these types of threats or communications extremely seriously. Young people need to realize when they make threats like these, whether they mean it or not, there are consequences. We urge parents to talk with their children about this issue and also monitor their social media.”
While many Macon County parents are speaking with their children about recent shootings and potential for danger in their own school, such conversations can be difficult and distressing. One parent shared a post on Facebook to convey the unsettling nature of such a conversation. (Names withheld) “[Child] told me this afternoon that they practiced standing on toilets [to hide in the bathroom]. And she came up with another plan to find a corner and just get into a ball. I had to explain to her that the person she is hiding from would be someone bad and they would see her. If it was a shooter, they would try to kill her. It was heartbreaking to have to sit there in the car and have a conversation about how to stay alive in school. I tried to get her to understand that the teacher in that moment will do everything to keep her and everyone else safe, but she is to do EVERYTHING they say. Praying for all teachers!”
Macon County School Superintendent Josh Lynch shared his thoughts regarding the school-start uptick in violent threats.
“The recent tragic incident involving a school in Georgia has understandably heightened concerns about safety and security within our schools,” said Lynch. “The threats that followed likely stem from heightened fear and anxiety in the community, prompting individuals to react impulsively. Additionally, the current environment may lead to copycat behaviors or false claims as people seek attention or attempt to express their distress. It’s crucial for school authorities, along with law enforcement, to investigate these threats thoroughly to ensure the safety and well-being of students and staff, while also addressing the underlying issues of fear and trauma in the community. By monitoring alert platforms, intentionally listening to reports, utilizing threat assessment teams, and following protocol, we can continue educating our students while ensuring the safety of all members of our school system.”
Anyone who perceives a threat or knows of a threat should call 911 or the Macon