September 12, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Courthouse was evacuated this morning after a bomb threat was phoned into 911 and as a result the public square was closed for a few hours while investigators conducted a search of the building. No explosives were found and the courthouse will reopen Friday.
DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray and Smithville Police Chief Mark Collins issued the following joint statement about the investigation:
“On September 12, 2024 at 9:46 AM Central Dispatch received a call from a male subject stating there was a bomb in the DeKalb County Courthouse. The caller also referenced additional bombs but did not give locations at the time. The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, Smithville Police Department, Smithville Fire Department, DeKalb EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee Highway Patrol Special Operations Unit, Tennessee Homeland Security Agency, and a K-9 and handler from Lebanon Police Department were all summoned to the scene. The Courthouse was evacuated and searched by Officers and the K-9. A package of concern was found and was cleared. There are no more active threats at this time that we are aware of. Two people of interest were picked up and questioned. No arrests have been made thus far, but the investigation continues. Anyone having information on the caller, please contact central dispatch at 615-215-3000. Any and all bomb or school shooting threats will be prosecuted to the highest extent of the law,” according to the statement.
Charlie Parker, DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency Director said downtown businesses at the time were alerted to the courthouse threat.
“We went to all the downtown businesses and told them of the threat. We asked them to stay out of the front glass areas of their buildings. Some of the businesses decided to close,” said Parker.
“Every agency takes all threats as credible and we exhaust all means to ensure the safety of the public,” Parker added.
General Sessions Court was scheduled for this morning but had to be postponed due to the threat. Judge Brandon Cox said all cases set for today have been rescheduled for next Thursday, September 19.
Meanwhile, Director of Schools Patrick Cripps has issued the following statement about some misinformation about a perceived threat against DeKalb County Schools being circulated in the community which is not a threat but pertains to DeKalb County, Georgia.
“It has come to our attention that there has been some misunderstanding regarding a “list” being circulated among students and parents in our community. This list includes references to DeKalb County Schools. This list is from the state of Georgia and refers to Title I Schoolwide (SWP) and Targeted Assisted (TA) Schools, including the DeKalb County schools in Georgia”, said Director Cripps.
“Schoolwide Plans provide services for all students in an eligible school, which Targeted Assistance Plans provide services only to identified children. This is NOT any sort of targeted hit list,” Cripps explained.
“Please clarify to anyone referring to this list as something dangerous or harmful. It is not and it does not include our schools in DeKalb County, Tennessee. Thank you for your help in clearing up this misunderstanding,” said Director Cripps.