KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A Gibbs Middle School sixth-grade student was charged Friday after the Knox County Sheriff's Office said he made violent threats that morning on a school bus. The student is 11 years old.
The student faces charges for making threats of mass violence. The incident is separate from an incident on Thursday that involved Gibbs students making violent threats against Halls Middle School. In that incident, several schools went into lockdown as authorities investigated the threats.
Knox County Schools released a statement about the threats and the student who was charged. That statement is available below.
"The safety and well-being of our students are our top priority, and we cannot emphasize that every threat is taken seriously. We encourage families to please take a moment and talk to their children about the dangers and consequences of making inappropriate and threatening comments. Students are facing serious consequences no matter their intent.
It is not our practice to comment on student situations; however, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken."
The students in that case were still in juvenile custody on Friday and are expected to have a hearing next week.
Additional information about the threats made on Friday was not available. This story will be updated when more information is available.