Press Release: On March 18, 2026, School Resource Officers (SROs) at North Middle School successfully intervened in two separate incidents involving threats of violence. Due to the rapid response of law enforcement and school administration, both situations were contained without incident.
Details of the Incidents
The events unfolded as follows:
- Initial Threat: SRO Bobby Long was alerted to a possible threat of violence. Following
an immediate investigation, a juvenile was taken into custody.
- Second Incident: Shortly thereafter, SRO Billy Harris was made aware of a separate,
unrelated threat at the same location. SRO Harris launched an investigation, resulting in the detention of a second juvenile.
Safety Measures and Legal Action
The safety of students and staff remains our highest priority. In response to these reports, officials implemented heightened security measures throughout the school. These measures remained in place until investigators determined there was no longer a substantiated threat of violence in either case.
Both juveniles involved will be charged with threats of mass violence and school board policy 6.300 was followed regarding discipline consequences.
Community Cooperation
We ask for your partnership in discussing the gravity of these actions with your students. Please remind your students that threats of mass violence, regardless of the platform or the intent, carry severe legal and disciplinary repercussions. Law enforcement and school districts do not distinguish between a “joke,” a prank, or a genuine threat. Even if a student believes they are being “funny” or seeking attention, these actions can result in:
- Immediate law enforcement intervention and potential criminal charges.
- Severe disciplinary action according to district policy, up to and including expulsion.
- Permanent impacts on a student’s record.
We also encourage you to speak with your students to report any concerns to the administration aligned with our “see something, say something” initiative. School resource officers and administrators take all reports seriously.
We commend SRO Long and SRO Harris for their vigilance and swift action. We encourage anyone with additional information regarding these incidents—or any other potential safety concerns—to contact us directly or the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. Maintaining a safe environment is a collaborative effort between law enforcement, schools, and the community.
