A person is in custody after a digital threat was directed at Northwest Rankin Middle School on Tuesday morning.
The identity of the individual accused of making the threat has not been made available to the public at this time. According to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, the incident happened just after 8:30 a.m., prompting the middle school and neighboring Northwest Rankin High School to go on lockdown.
“We take all threats against our schools very seriously and are committed to ensuring the safety of our students and staff,” a portion of a statement from Rankin County School District Public Relations Manager Sharon Patrick reads. “We will pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”
The Rankin County Sheriff’s Department, Flowood Police Department, Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, and the Northwest Rankin administrators investigated the threat.
Students and staff are reported at the central Mississippi school are reported to be safe.
