MEMPHIS, Tenn — Three students have been detained as investigations continue into reports of threats at multiple Memphis-area schools Wednesday, according to Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins and MPD Police Chief CJ Davis.
The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) said Wednesday afternoon that lockdowns had been lifted at Memphis-areas schools following reports of online threats across the area. MSCS said all after school activities have been canceled.
In an email to ABC24 at 3:53 p.m., MSCS announced a news conference with Dr. Feagins would be held at 4 p.m. Watch it HERE.
During the news conference, Dr. Feagins was joined by Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner.
Feagins said they believe the threats are "not active" and plans are for school to resume as normal for Thursday.
Feagins said the threats began with a phone call then social media posts at Southwind High School about 7:19 a.m.
She said following the original online threat, more followed, and all school campuses were placed on lockdown as a precaution. Feagins said they believe the threats following the original were "reposts" or "re-shares" of the original.
Chief Davis said three students at Whitehaven High have been detained and are being questioned for a threat to Whitehaven High, but this incident is separate from the original Southwind threat. She said Southwind is still being investigated. Davis said they have not identified who posted the threats to Southwind.
Feagins also re-iterated that they ask parents to not show up at schools as a crisis is happening so law enforcement can work and keep students and staff safe.
She said the threats Wednesday were "in alignment with what happened nationally."
"This is not a game, this is not play," said Feagins. "There are consequences to all of our actions.”
"The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, along with State and Local law enforcement, is still investigating the threats from this morning," said a statement about 2:15 p.m. "As our investigation progresses, we no longer see an immediate threat. We have agreed with Memphis Shelby County Schools to proceed with student dismissal."
"Today's incidents are still actively being investigated with confidence that sources will be identified," said an MSCS statement Wednesday afternoon. "We will follow our normal dismissal times. Y-Care and all after school activities will be canceled. School will resume as normal tomorrow, Thursday, September 19. Thank you for your cooperation today."
The SCSO said about 7:20 a.m., someone contacted Southwind High School making the threats, and the school was placed on lockdown. ABC24 crews at the school found several SCSO vehicles there.
Social media posts being shared by Southwind parents and students online showed a post with a picture of a gun with a threat to shoot up the school. The SCSO said deputies were investigating.
The sheriff's office said about 10:00 a.m., someone contacted MSCS and made threats against Ridgeway High School. The school was also placed on lockdown, and deputies are investigating. The SCSO said Memphis Police are assisting deputies.
A person at the office of Craigmont High School said their school was also placed on lockdown after someone made a shooting threat on social media. The person said no one is allowed into the building, but parents are able to pick up their students.
A person in the office at Germantown High School told ABC24 they were also on lockdown.
Germantown Police said on social media, "We are aware of the threat and current lockdown at Germantown High School. Officers are working with the Shelby County Sheriff's Office and the Department of Homeland Security to determine the legitimacy of the threat. We have [a] large contingent of personnel at the school and we will remain on-site out of an abundance of caution. In addition to Germantown High School, we have deployed additional officers to schools throughout Germantown for the remainder of the day."
Overton High's front office also confirmed to ABC24 that school was on lockdown as well.
The office at Wells Station Elementary School said they were also on lockdown due to hearing shots fired nearby. Memphis Police told ABC24 the shots fired call was unrelated to the school, and no injuries were reported.
"This morning, multiple threats were made against multiple Memphis Shelby County Schools within Memphis and unincorporated Shelby County," said a post by the SCSO. "The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with Memphis Shelby County Schools and local law enforcement, is focused on ensuring the safety of all students and faculty. We ask that parents refrain from coming to the schools to pick up their children while we investigate these threats. Your cooperation is appreciated."
ABC24 reached out to Memphis-Shelby County Schools. A district spokesperson did not provide details on the situation, except to say they would answer questions "when they can" and that they were in touch with the superintendent.
In the first email to MSCS parents earlier Wednesday, the district said, "We are aware of a threat to several of our schools and, as a precautionary measure, please do not go to your child's school as law enforcement is actively investigating. We will provide updates as necessary."