MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Collierville Police said a 16-year-old from Memphis is charged with making a false threat that forced students and staff at West Collierville Middle School to evacuate Monday morning.
Police told ABC24 that the ATF took lead on the investigation. Police said students were taken to Collierville Baptist Church.
In a statement Monday afternoon, Collierville Police a false phone threat was made to both West Collierville Middle and the Goddard School. They said Collierville detectives identified the 16-year-old as responsible for the call, and the teen faces charges in Shelby County Juvenile Court related to terroristic threats.
Collierville Schools issued the following statement: "Earlier this morning, West Collierville Middle School received a phone call threatening harm to the school. Representatives from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are on campus and recommended an evacuation of the building. All students and staff are safe.
Law enforcement has informed us that their sweep of the building should be completed within the hour. Once complete, students and staff will return to West Collierville Middle School to resume our instructional day."
