By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Union City, Tenn.—Union City Police Chief Perry Barfield has reported that officials have determined a 15-year-old girl from Fulton, Ky., is responsible for the threat that resulted in all of the schools in Obion County being placed on soft lockdown today.
The threat was made last night on Snapchat and reads that there would be a ‘live shooting” in Union City and Obion Co. Schools at 8:15 a.m. today. It says, “I aware no students should go too school tomorrow morning for your best survival and safety.” The message ends with hashtags “STAY STRONG”, “STOP SCHOOL SHOOTINGS” and “PRAYERS”.
Barfield said the girl is a student at Fulton City Schools. Barfield said officers interviewed her and recovered her phone.
Union City Schools and all Obion County Schools were placed on soft lockdown today, meaning that parents should come and get their children if they so desired.
Barfield said school was in session at the schools today “but of course many parents came to get their children out of school today.”
No charges have yet been filed in the case, Barfield said. Law enforcement will be conferring with district attorneys general in Tennessee and Kentucky to determine jurisdiction and charges.
Barfield said, “These types of false reports have become an epidemic in recent days following the tragic events of recent school shootings. The Union City Police Department along with other law enforcement agencies want the public to know that we will take all such threats seriously and will take whatever measures we possibly can to protect our students and teachers.
“We encourage parents to talk with their children about how to react in the event such an
incident occurs. Also, parents please monitor what your children are posting on social
media. The dangers and chaos this false report caused could have been much worse.
Anyone who has information at any time about potential dangers are encouraged to
contact the Union City Police.”
