Reported threats prompt lockdowns at several schools in Middle Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Some schools in Davidson, Robertson, Wilson and Williamson counties were placed on lockdown Thursday morning due to reported threats, officials said.

Metro Nashville Public Schools spokesperson Sean Braisted said Gower Elementary School was placed on lockdown following a threat that was received by the Metro Police Nashville Department (MNPD).

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According to Braisted, officers responded to the elementary school, conducted a thorough search and cleared the building shortly after. Officials said the school has since resumed to normal operations and has transitioned from a lockdown to a “lockout,” meaning students are allowed to move freely but visitor access is restricted.

A News 2 crew captured families at the school picking their children up early for the day.

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Meanwhile, law enforcement in Wilson County responded to the Watertown area Thursday morning after a threat was reported through a chatline.

Wilson County Schools ensured parents that no active threats were found and all school grounds were thoroughly searched. Authorities are reportedly investigating the incident as potential “swatting.”

“Our investigators worked with Homeland Security to quickly identify this threat as a hoax,” said Wilson County Sheriff’s Captain Scott Moore.

Wilson County Schools also have several extra security measures in place, to ensure school safety. According to Public Information Officer Bart Barker, some of these extra measures include: multiple school resource officers, high sound detecting cameras and K-9 service dogs.

The threat calls also affected operations in Robertson County. According to school officials there, there was a report of a threat that “resulted in safety procedures being implemented.”

According to Steve Sorrells with Robertson County Schools, local law enforcement received a report of suicide ideation with a weapon in the parking lot of Greenbrier Elementary School. As a result of the threat, the school was placed on a hard lockdown procedure, and two other schools nearby went to a soft lockdown as an added precaution.

“A quick response by the Greenbrier Police Department, the School Resource Officers, the Robertson County Sheriffs Office and the Department of Homeland Security allowed the report to be investigated and the campus cleared of any potential threat,” Sorrells told News 2. “The school lockdown was lifted and parent contacts made to inform of the reaction and a return to normal school schedule.”

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Sorrells added the call appeared to be a hoax, but “the need to be proactive to protect students and staff was necessary.”

Then, just after 3:05 p.m., the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office announced that a school in the Brentwood area also received a reported threat. Authorities said they determined the call was a hoax following a thorough investigation and the school was safely cleared.

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