JACKSON COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A tip was received late Tuesday night by the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center regarding a school shooting threat which had been posted online.
The tip, investigators have determined, was submitted by a student in the Jackson county area. Once received by the FBI’s NTOC, the information was forwarded to the West Virginia State Police, and subsequently to the Jackson County E911 Center.
Reports from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department confirm that investigators with the department were able to meet with and speak with the student regarding the tip which had been provided.
The student reportedly learned of a planned attack in the state of Texas which they believed to be imminent after happening upon a social media account.
The social media account in question was that of an individual whom the tipster had determined harbored a fascination with the Uvalde school shooting, which occurred earlier this year and resulted in the deaths of 19 students and 2 teachers, along with the wounding of 17 others at Robb Elementary School.
“This individual/account holder was determined to have no known ties to Jackson County or the State of West Virginia,” read a statement from the Jackson County Sheriff RH Mellinger.
The release reiterated at several instances that at no point during the investigation was there perceived to be any threat to anyone in Jackson County or the State of West Virginia, by either the tipster themselves or by the investigating officers.
“At no time did the student believe the threat was directed to any school within the state of West Virginia,” Mellinger continued.
The Jackson County E911 Center is said to have received the information based solely on the location of the individual who had provided the tip. This information has since been forwarded to the appropriate authorities in the state of Texas.
“This is how investigations work,” Mellinger goes on to explain. “We also understand that this is how rumors get started. When these things surface, we take them very seriously and work the cases thoroughly and swiftly.”
Concluding the statement, Sheriff Mellinger reassures the public that there is no discernable threat to Jackson County Schools or students, but asserts that the department will increase law enforcement numbers at Jackson County Schools Wednesday to err on the side of caution.
“Based on the investigation’s entirety, there is NO threat whatsoever to any school(s) or students in Jackson County. In a continuing effort to build relationships and provide security and a safe learning environment, there will be an increased law enforcement presence today at schools across the county.”
These events follow the establishment of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department’s Shield Program last month, which saw an abundance of deputies and police officers celebrating the students of Jackson County Schools in a unified effort to ensure the safety of students and teachers.
Jackson County student tips off FBI to potential school shooting threat in Texas
