CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Two South Cumberland Elementary School students have been charged after it was discovered they were plotting a school shooting.
According to authorities, the School Resource Officer at the elementary school uncovered a rumor that there may be a 'hit list' that contained the names of students who would be shot in a future school shooting.
When these rumors were uncovered, immediate steps were taken. The Crossville/Cumberland County District Threat Assessment Task Force, the Crossville Police Department, and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office were contacted and an official investigation began.
The investigation did not lead to the discovery of the alleged hit list. However, a hand-drawn map of the school and a plan between two 6th graders was uncovered. The students allegedly planned to bring weapons to the school, hide them in the locker room and on the last day of the school year, enter through the back door and shoot faculty and students. The 6th graders then planned to take their own lives before law enforcement could apprehend them.
Multiple conversations about the preparing of this plot that occurred over a two week period were also discovered throughout the investigation.
Sheriff Casey Cox of the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office said, “We take any threat to students and school faculty very seriously and we will respond, investigate and take swift appropriate action to manage each threat.” Chief Brooks said, “The best way to manage threats is through all agencies working together in unity”.
Both student’s homes were searched for weapons and other evidence but neither were found in either home. According to police, the students' parents were very cooperative in assisting the school administration and law enforcement.
The students have been arrested and transported to the Cumberland County Juvenile Detention Facility where they have been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Murder. They will remain in custody awaiting a hearing in Juvenile Court.
