Girl faces criminal charges over school shooting threat at West Creek Middle

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A female student who threatened to “shoot up” West Creek Middle School today has been identified by law enforcement and faces criminal charges.

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, working with School Resource Officers, has identified the student, according to MCSO spokesman Lt. Mark Wojnarek.

A petition is being secured in Juvenile Court, he told Clarksville Now.

“Sheriff (John) Fuson has made it abundantly clear that all offenses where threats involving our schools or school officials are involved, will be investigated and charges taken,” Wojnarek said.

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, school officials sent a note to West Creek families telling them the student has been identified.

“We thank all our families who have reinforced with their children the seriousness of making threats,” the message said. “Threats of violence, even non-credible threats of violence, on school property is a chargeable offense. Parents, please continue to partner with us by talking to your children about online safety, appropriate behaviors, and consequences for criminal behaviors.

“For our entire community, we want to reiterate the importance of immediately reporting any school safety concern to an SRO, teacher, administrator, or other trusted adult and not sharing rumors of school violence at school, on social media, or anywhere.”

At 3 p.m. Tuesday, Principal Stephanie Whelpley sent a message saying extra law enforcement would be at the school today and encouraging families to talk to their kids and provide any information about the source of the social media threat.

When asked about the prosecution of school violence threats, District Attorney Robert Nash told Clarksville Now, “We’re not going to tolerate it.”

“You just cannot anymore dismiss things as just being from juveniles or childish. We can’t do that anymore, unfortunately, because we do see instances of violence – mass violence – in schools,” Nash said. “So we’re going to have to address them with the seriousness that the threat poses.”