Threat to Kentucky high schools deemed inaccurate; juveniles in Missouri arrested

A potential shooting threat that caused multiple high schools in Kentucky and around the country to take precautionary measures has been resolved, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.

According to a Sunday evening Facebook post by the Knox County Sheriff’s Department, a threat towards “Central High School” began vastly circulating on Facebook and Snapchat on Saturday. The threat stated that an individual named Alex Anderson along with some friends, “intended to commit a mass shooting of between 5-10 people and administrators between 10:00-11:00.”

After an investigation, The Richmond Police Department said the threat originated from St. Joseph, Missouri, and was directed towards St. Joseph’s Central High School. Three juveniles have been charged for making the threat.

Over the weekend, it was unclear what high school or area of the country was being targeted in the threat and concern spread among communities with a “Central” high school. Officials for Knox County Central High School and Madison Central High School began investigating and took precautionary action.

“We do appreciate the students and families that brought this to our attention as a precautionary measure,” Knox County Public Schools said in a Facebook post. “Always check screennames, if other locations are mentioned, and timestamps when you view any social media post. If in doubt after checking it out, notify law enforcement.”

A Facebook post from Madison County Schools said an additional police presence would be on Madison Central High School’s campus on Monday.

“We are grateful for our partnerships with Richmond Police Department and other local agencies who share our abundance of concern,” Madison County Schools said in a post on Facebook.