ELKINS, WV (LOOTPRESS) – One man has been arrested after threatening a West Virginia high school administrator over a school policy, stating to the administrator that they were all going to burn.
According to the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Elkins High School Prevention Resource Officer Corporal E.B. Carr obtained an arrest warrant for Phone Harassment of a male subject identified as Timothy J. Gifford after a threat was made to Elkins High School administration over the telephone on Friday.
On Friday, September 1, 2023, Corporal E.B. Carr learned of a threat toward an Elkins High School administrator. The threat was made during a telephone call between EHS and Timothy Gifford in reference to an issue with school policy.
After explaining the issue at the school and explaining the policy that is being followed, Timothy Gifford began to yell at the Victim on the phone as the “tone of his voice” changed and he began to use “curse words” indicating that he was “angry” by what was happening.
Gifford told a member of Elkins High School administration that “you all are wrong” and
“I’m fighting you on this.” Additionally, Mr. Gifford is alleged to have stated, “You better have people there when I come; call the National Guard, call the Sheriff’s Office, because I’m going to bury you.”
The administrator advised Gifford that the school was just “following policy” before Gifford stated, “You all are going to burn.” At that point, the administrator advised Gifford to, “quit threatening me over the phone” before Gifford responded, “d*** right I’m threatening you.”
At that time, Gifford continued to curse and yell on the phone so the call was terminated.
Based on an interview by Corporal E. B. Carr on Monday, September 4, 2023, Gifford disputed the allegations advising that it was all a misunderstanding. Corporal E. B. Carr advised Gifford of his Miranda Rights prior to questioning.
Carr advised Gifford to agree to speak with him. Gifford acknowledged that he was frustrated with the situation and had been drinking when the phone call was made; however, he adamantly denied the allegations of his conduct.
He stated “I wasn’t threatening her. When I said I’ll bury you, all I meant was the school and stuff.” Gifford said that he wished to clarify that he meant that he would be the one to call the National Guard and the Sheriff’s Office because the school was wrong in what they were doing.
Gifford stated that he was apologetic about the situation and that he was no threat and meant no harm to the school system or the administrator.
Timothy Gifford was arrested on an arrest warrant Monday evening for the threats made to Elkins High School staff. He is currently at Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $200 cash-only bond.
