Juvenile charged after David Crockett threat, sheriff says

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A 15-year-old has been charged and taken into custody after a threat was made to David Crockett High School.

The Washington County Tennessee Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) announced earlier on Friday evening that it would formally charge the juvenile in question with threat of mass violence on school property and assault.

The Crockett threat arrest marks at least five juvenile arrests in the Tri-Cities region after a rash of threats were made to area schools.

Washington County Sheriff Keith Sexton thanked school resource officer (SRO) David Smith at the high school for securing the petition and evidence.

“SRO Smith did exactly what we expect of a great SRO,” Sexton stated in a news release. “He identified the suspect and worked throughout the investigation to secure what was needed to obtain a juvenile petition for the suspect we will now take into custody rather than issuing a summons.”

According to the release, the sheriff’s office deemed the threat not viable after learning that the juvenile did not have the means to carry it out.

Sexton said the WCSO takes all threats seriously and has an SRO in every county school.

“We will not tolerate actions such as this and rest assured, we will respond quickly and accordingly to make sure those making threats are taken into custody,” Sexton stated.

Security was increased at schools in the county on Friday as a precautionary measure.

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