What started as a conversation between kids at a church gathering quickly escalated into a situation involving threats of violence and an immediate law enforcement response.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched after receiving a complaint that a juvenile had allegedly made a serious threat involving a school and specific individuals.
Deputies first spoke with a parent who reported that her 12-year-old daughter had attended a church party and was talking with other children. During the event, a boy reportedly asked her to date him. When she told him she was not allowed to date, another juvenile in the group later reported that the boy became angry and allegedly stated that if she would not go out with him, he would bring a gun to school and “shoot a bunch of people,” including a school administrator.
The child who heard the alleged statement immediately reported it to a trusted adult as the group was leaving the church event. Deputies collected a written statement from the parent and then followed up with the juvenile who reported hearing the threat. With a guardian’s permission, that juvenile confirmed the account and provided a statement to investigators.
Deputies then contacted the family of the juvenile accused of making the statement. The boy denied making any threat and told deputies he had spoken with multiple people during the event but did not acknowledge making violent comments. With parental consent, deputies collected a statement from him regarding his interactions at the gathering.
No arrests were made at the time of the report. Deputies advised all involved parties that the incident would be formally documented and forwarded for further review.
Law enforcement officials note that any statement involving threats of school violence is treated with the utmost seriousness, regardless of age or setting. Even comments made in anger or frustration can trigger investigations designed to protect students, staff, and the community.
The case remains under review, and deputies emphasized the importance of reporting concerning statements immediately — something that, in this case, allowed authorities to respond quickly and assess the situation before it escalated further.