Officials discuss response to bomb threat at North Side High School
UPDATE (2/23/24): Second JMCSS student arrested in connection to North Side bomb threat
UPDATE (2/21/24): Teen arrested in connection to North Side bomb threat
JACKSON, Tenn. — A bomb threat leads to evacuation at a local high school in Jackson.
Around 10:15 Wednesday, several tipsters alerted us that a large first responder presence was at North Side High School.
The Jackson Police Department released a statement via Atlas One stating at 10:03 a.m., JPD was advised of a bomb threat at North Side High School that came in via text message.
When our team arrived, JPD, Jackson Fire, and EMS blocked entrances into the school parking lot off Highland Avenue and Hughes Drive.
“No two threats are the same,” said Tim Gilmer, Chief Support Services Officer with the Jackson-Madison County School System. “So, you don’t just have just a standard thing that you do. You know, with all threats you know the first top priority is the safety of our school community.”
Multiple law enforcement officers were seen standing outside of the school. An officer was seen with a K9 unit searching vehicles in the parking lot.
At approximately 11:00 a.m., North Side High School sent out a text alert to parents stating all students were safe and law enforcement was sweeping the buildings due to a bomb threat.
“In today’s situation, we felt that the need that it arise that the students did need to be evacuated and the whole building did need to be searched by local law enforcement,” Gilmer said.
The text also gave notice of early dismissal and designated pickup locations. A short time later students were seen being dismissed.
It was observed that the majority of students left the building without their bookbags.
“When we decide that the circumstances dictate that we need to evacuate the building, we are going to evacuate it in orderly and as fast as we can,” said Gilmer. “The main priority is just getting all persons out.”
Officials tell us this is an ongoing investigation, so stay with us on-air and online for updates.
If you have information relating to this incident, contact the Madison County Sheriff’s Office at (731) 423-6000, or Crime Stoppers at (731) 424-8477.
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