Nashville, Tenn. – Three students have been arrested this week in connection with separate threats made against local schools, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). The threats were made both online and verbally, and all three individuals face charges of making a threat of mass violence.
The first arrest involved an 11th-grade student from Knowledge Academy, who allegedly became upset after his backpack was confiscated for not meeting the school’s clear bag policy. In response, the student reportedly made a threatening comment about causing an “Antioch part two,” a reference to a previous incident. MNPD said the student was removed from class immediately, and a search of his person and belongings turned up no concerning items.
In a separate case, a 12-year-old student from Dupont Tyler Middle School was arrested after posting a threat on Instagram targeting Antioch High School and Hillsboro High School. Following the online post, the FBI and the MNPD’s Rapid School Safety Team intervened. Police said the student admitted to posting the threatening message during an interview with investigators.
The third arrest involved another 12-year-old, this time a sixth-grader from Apollo Middle School. This student allegedly threatened to shoot four of his classmates and even showed one of them a picture of a gun. The threat was reportedly made around dismissal time. Police were notified, and the student was taken into custody.
All three students have been charged in Juvenile Court with making a threat of mass violence. The MNPD emphasized the seriousness of such threats and the importance of swift action to ensure school safety.
“Threats against schools and institutions are taken very seriously,” the police department said in a statement. “Those responsible for making these threats, once identified, will be prosecuted.”
Authorities continue to remind the public of the importance of preventing and reporting threats to ensure the safety of students, staff, and the community at large.