Schools deemed safe, despite Puckett threat

Local schools are safe today (Friday), according to the Wayne County school system, despite a student’s social-media threat to bring a weapon to Martha Puckett Middle School.

The school system has reported that law-enforcement authorities have “determined that no credible threat exists,” that the student is not being allowed to return to school at this time, and that extra officers are at the school “just as a precaution.”

Parents are also being advised to trust social-media rumors about the incident.

In a notification to parents Friday morning, the school system’s public information officer, Reggie Burgess, said, “In upholding our commitment to keep the safety of students and staff members as our top priority, we wanted to make you aware of a situation that developed late last night.

“Law-enforcement officials were alerted to a social-media post made by a Martha Puckett Middle School student, claiming that a weapon would be brought to the school today. The swift action by law enforcement in contacting the parents of this student resulted in an immediate defusing of the situation, and it has been determined that no credible threat exists.

“The post came from this single source, and law-enforcement officials are dealing with that source. The student will not be returning to school until it has been determined that it is appropriate to do so.

“However, there will be an increased law-enforcement presence on the MPMS campus today just as a precaution. The school will remain open today and will follow its regular schedule.

“Please know that this is an isolated incident and that there have been no threats that would impact other schools. Please do not believe false rumors that you may encounter on social media.

“Should there be any further information regarding this situation, we will share that with you via this platform.”