RISON - Lt. Brad Young of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department announced through a social media post Tuesday afternoon that officers investigated a possible threat involving a student concerning the Cleveland County School District.
At approximately 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Young said the sheriff’s department was notified by Cleveland County School District officials of a possible threat involving a student. The district did not begin the 2026-27 school year until today (Wednesday, Aug. 12)
After interviewing witnesses and gathering information, Young said a 13-year-old juvenile male believed to have made the statement was brought to the Sheriff’s Department by his mother, who cooperated fully with investigators.
Investigators determined that the incident stemmed from a telephone conversation that occurred several days ago. During the conversation, he said the juvenile made a statement about shooting the school.
After thoroughly investigating the circumstances and context of the statement, Young said investigators determined that the juvenile does not have access to weapons and did not possess the means or ability to carry out the threat.
Young said the juvenile will not attend school within the Cleveland County School District and will face a charge of terroristic threatening in Cleveland County Juvenile Court. Information will be submitted to Juvenile Court to initiate proceedings.
At the direction of the 13th Judicial District Juvenile Officer, the juvenile was released to his mother.
Young said the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department has remained in constant communication with school officials throughout the investigation. At this time, there is no credible threat to the school.
The sheriff’s department reminds students and parents that threats made as a joke can have serious consequences. “In today’s environment, any statement involving violence toward a school is taken seriously and will be investigated,” Young wrote in a Facebook post.
Anyone with information concern…