From Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — UPDATE: According to Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush, the threat to Hewitt-Trussville Middle School earlier Monday was not a credible threat.
“Our investigation found that this came about due to a dispute in an online gaming community,” Rush said. “Someone from out of state got angry and called in the threat using a local person’s name.”
Rush said it would be difficult to determine the actual caller because everyone uses anonymous screen names.
“I don’t believe there is any imminent threat,” Rush said. “But we’ll still have added security with increased personnel at the schools.”
Dr. Patrick Martin, superintendent of Trussville City Schools, updated TCS parents with an email at 9:17 p.m. informing them of the results of the investigation.
“After recent conversation with Trussville Police Department leadership this evening, it has been deemed that there is no immediate threat to the middle school and that students are safe to return to school tomorrow, Tuesday, May 16th,” Martin said. “As an added measure, the Trussville Police Department will provided additional police presence at all schools tomorrow and throughout the remainder of the week.”
Earlier Monday evening, Martin had notified parents of the threat targeting Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. Martin said Trussville police were immediately contacted and were investigating the incident.
“Earlier this evening, the Trussville City Schools Board of Education received a threat to the Hewitt-Trussville Middle School,” Martin said. “The system immediately contacted the Trussville City Police Department and SROs. The Board Office is currently working with the Trussville Police Department to investigate the matter and will update you as information becomes available this evening.”
Chief Eric Rush said officers were working overtime on Monday to have the issue resolved tonight.
“It’s our intention to have this resolved tonight, before kids go to school in the morning,” Rush said. “We’ve identified two people of interest and officers are talking to both of them.”
Audio of the threat was posted to Twitter earlier on Monday, Rush said. It has since been removed.
While TPD officials work on resolving the incident, the superintendent said TCS officials are focused on student safety.
“The safety and welfare of all Trussville City Schools students is of highest priority for the school system and all measures are being take to insure their security,” Martin said.