RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN (WGNS) - Rutherford County Sheriff's Office authorities have charged two middle school students following separate threats reported Thursday at two campuses in Rutherford County. According to sheriff’s officials, a student at Rockvale Middle School allegedly threatened to bring a gun to school. Detective Sgt. Thomas Burnett of the Criminal Investigations Division said the student was charged with communicating a threat concerning a school employee or student, a felony offense under Tennessee law. Detectives investigated the allegation before the charge was filed.

In a separate incident, a student at Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School reportedly “threatened to shoot up the math class” after being teased by other students, according to School Resource Officer Sgt. Matt Clagg. SRO Jonathan Hickman gathered statements during the investigation and ultimately charged the student with making threats of mass violence on school property, also a felony.

Both juveniles were transported to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center following their arrests.

Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh said the Sheriff’s Office remains committed to school safety and will continue taking proactive measures to protect students, faculty, and the broader community.

Jimmy Sullivan, director of Rutherford County Schools, emphasized the district’s partnership with law enforcement and praised the swift response to both incidents.

“We want parents to know that we don’t tolerate this type of inappropriate behavior because our top priority is keeping our students and employees safe,” Sullivan said.

Authorities have not released the names of the students due to their ages. The charges are accusations, and the cases will proceed through the juvenile court system.

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