Juvenile arrested threatening HVA Prom: KCSO
A juvenile has been charged with “the threat of mass violence” when, according to Knox County Sheriff’s Office reports, this youth “was targeting the Hardin Valley (Academy) Prom” held at The Venue in Lenoir City Saturday evening, April 29.
“On April 29, 2023, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office was alerted to a potential threat of mass violence from the Knoxville Division of The Federal Bureau of Investigation on a tip they received,” a KCSO press release stated. “The juvenile distributed the threat via Snapchat … .
“Patrol officers, along with Juvenile Crimes detectives, located the juvenile just before 8 p.m. (April 29),” the release further stated. “The juvenile was charged with the threat of mass violence and is being held at the Richard L. Bean Juvenile Detention Center.”
“I want to make it clear to anyone who might think these types of threats are a joke or are funny — they are not,” Sheriff Tom Spangler stated in a press release. “Any threat against any of our schools, the children or the staff will be taken seriously.
“I am urging parents/guardians to candidly talk with their children about the seriousness of making a threat,” he further stated. “We cannot downplay the potential severity of these types of crimes. The safety of our children and staff in our school system is paramount.
“I appreciate the swift response by everyone upon being notified of this threat,” the Sheriff added. “I’m incredibly thankful for the tireless efforts of our patrol officers and juvenile detectives. Thank you to the Knoxville Division of The Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance.”
