Sheriff Responds To Alleged Shooting Threat at ECHS

Edmonson Voice  Staff Report:
According to a statement from the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, there was a supposed rumor circulating today regarding a student or students at the Edmonson County High School that had made various threats about causing harm at local schools, which apparently stemmed from the recent school shooting in Florida.

According to Sheriff Shane Doyle, as soon as it was made known to the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the homes of the students to further the investigation.  Those students, who weren't named due to confidentiality rules, were ordered not to return to school without a parent or guardian. 

Authorities said early this morning, these students and their guardians were questioned and it was determined that, although inappropriate comments were made, some of the information was taken out of context, and no laws or rules were broken. 

In addition, it was discovered that another juvenile student had posted some extremely inappropriate content online, also related to a school shooting according to the Sheriff.  That student was immediately suspended pending an expulsion hearing. 

"The sheriff's office is extremely invested in our schools," said Sheriff Doyle.  "We have children enrolled, spouses who are employees of the school system, and we recognize that our first responsibility is to our children," he said.  "All of our officers have been trained extensively in active shooter response, and we have offered training to the school district in the past as well.  Superintendent Waddell has requested we conduct more training this year involving all the school staff, and we are in the process of putting that together now," said Doyle.