Tipton County, Tenn.–A 16-year-old student was arrested after allegedly threatening to kill everyone and shoot up the school.
The Covington Police Department responded to a disturbance at Gateway Christian School located at 2043 Highway 51 South in Covington, TN.
While on the scene, CPD Officers spoke to staff and several witnesses and determined that a student was in the parking lot of the school, yelling and cursing. The student had become angered when he learned he had been removed from the program.
During the violent outburst, the student was heard yelling that he would shoot up the school and kill everyone in the school. According to the witnesses, the student then left the school.
School officials notified CPD who then responded to the scene. Detectives notified the Tennessee Homeland Security Agent related to the school threat.
Responding Officers determined the 16-year-old student resided in Lauderdale County. Deputies from The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office assisted in locating the student on Bradford Road in Gates, TN, then he was arrested and transported back to Covington. The student was transported to the Covington Police Department Criminal Investigation Division, accompanied by his mother, for an interview.
Detectives contacted the Tipton County Youth Service Officer who assisted in the investigation. The student was formally charged with Threat of Mass Violence on School Property.
Tipton County Juvenile Court Judge M.O. Eckel III, ordered the student to be transported to the Shelby County Juvenile Detention Center where he is to be held until his court date this week.
“This is a great example of someone hearing and seeing a threat and immediately reporting the incident to authorities.” said Chief Donna Turner “We will be working closely with the parents and Juvenile Court to get the needed resources for the student. Keeping our school campuses safe continues to be a priority for us.”