KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. — At Bearden Middle School campus on Tuesday, several parents gathered to check out their children early. While some were just going to lunch or doctors' appointments, others were worried about recent threats.
No parents there were willing to speak in a formal interview, but they shared concerns about their children potentially being in danger if they were to stay.
Three parents with children at West Valley Middle School agreed to speak with reporters. Alexandria Black, one of the parents, said she refused to send her son to school on Tuesday because of the threats.
"Just because, you never know. I don't feel like there's been enough information surrounding the threats. I mean, I know that they're saying they're investigating and they don't really know what's going on, but it doesn't make us feel safe," Black said.
Brooke Davis, another mom. said she's also worried. Her daughter did attend school Tuesday, but she said she might not be back Wednesday.
"Text messages coming through from your child while you're working, saying they don't want to be here. They're fearing for their life. It's really scary. That's heavy," Davis said.
She said she understood Knox County Schools was investigating, but she said she wanted answers.
Sydney Beckman, a dad to two Knox County Schools students, said the shooting at Appalachee High School in Georgia is at the top of everyone's minds and that's why each threat has to be taken seriously.
"In this day and age, particularly after what just happened in Georgia, we have to be diligent. We have to be thoughtful. We have to assume that it is serious and hope that it's not," Beckman said.
The Knox County Sheriff's Office Juveniles Crime Unit arrested a West Valley Middle School student Tuesday over the threats. Detectives said they determined she was one of the people responsible for posting the online threat.