Ringgold locks down over misdirected gun threat
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Ringgold School District locked down its buildings Tuesday after receiving a gun threat over social media in what was later determined to have been directed to a district of the same name in Georgia.
The threat of a shooting made its way to the district in Washington County at 7 a.m. and it carried out a lockdown after determining the threat was credible, high school Principal Jason Minniti stated in a letter to parents that was posted on the district’s website.
“Through the cooperation of local authorities it was determined that this threat was directed at Ringgold High School in Catoosa County, Georgia,” Minniti stated in the letter.
He said the Catoosa County sheriff’s office confirmed the crime took place within its jurisdiction and that an arrest had been made.
Ringgold administrators decided that despite the mistake there was heightened security Tuesday at the district’s schools.
“Our students, parents and community need to know that all threats are taken seriously,” Minniti stated.
The 24/7 cycle on social media causes anxiety and “increases our feelings of vulnerability,” he said.
The district urged people to report threats to the local police departments, and parents to speak to their children about the importance of school safety.