Arrest of FMS student after threat: Edmonds
A Farragut Middle School student was arrested last week after reportedly making threats.
FMS principal Weston Edmonds sent the following message to FMS parents Wednesday, April 19:
“I wanted to let you know that a student was arrested early this morning after a threat had been reported against our school last night. Law enforcement and school security were notified immediately and worked with the administration to handle the situation quickly. I appreciate their diligent work to ensure that we have a safe learning environment today. Thank you for your support as we work together to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
“If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the school.”
One parent commented about the situation on social media, noting her daughter “attends the middle school. She saw the child arrested as soon as they walked in. The principal is amazing and on top of things.”
Edmonds had no further comment on the matter, and referred questions to Carly Harrington, Knox County Schools’ chief communications officer, who stated there were no additional comments “at this time” as of Monday, April 24.
Knox County Sherriff’s Office Public Information officer Heather Reyda stated in an e-mail, “since it is a juvenile who is still in court over the charges, we cannot release even a redacted report.”
Several parents expressed frustration on social media with what they called a lack of communication about the situation, but parent Suzi Middleton Kiger wrote online, “I get all of us wanting to know, but most of all I understand how much we want and need our children to be safe.
“However, to think of it from their side of this, how can they possibly handle the situation and the student, appropriately and ‘swiftly,’ if they take the time to notify the families then handle the situation?” she further stated. “I say we give a little grace for the administration/law enforcement office deciding how best to handle the situation and the proper steps to do such. ...”
“There will always be a fear for our children in schools now in this world we live in.
“But you also have to trust in our administration to be doing everything in their power to keep our children safe. We are sending them to our public schools every day, trusting in them. We should trust a little more for these situations and how they’re handled also.”
