From The Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — The Trussville Police Department (TPD) is investigating two separate verbal threats that were made in the Trussville City Schools (TCS) system this week. One threat was by a Hewitt-Trussville Middle School (HTMS) 8th grader to “shoot up the school” on the afternoon bus Tuesday, Oct. 18., and Hewitt-Trussville High School (HTHS) was notified today of a threat that a student made to “shoot up the school.”
TCS (Photo by Hannah Curran)
According to the TPD, officers have already visited both students’ homes and performed a routine search of the residence. The students have reportedly been suspended until a disciplinary hearing can be held.
“We’re still gathering statements and evidence and will present our case to family court to see what direction we’re going with criminal charges,” Lieutenant Clint Riner said. “We’re currently in the evidence-collecting stage, so we don’t really have a whole lot to release.”
Chief Eric Rush said these types of situations continue to happen, unfortunately.
“I don’t really understand it, but that’s the way kids these days are for some reason,” Rush said.
Rush explained that he is glad it was reported and handled correctly.
“We were contacted, and we were allowed to do our protocol and our process,” Rush said. “I think, looking at it from the whole situation, that we’re moving forward, and we’re gonna be getting things done right from this point forward.”
Rush said they are working together with the school, and he believes things are going to get better.
“Everybody’s committed to making it better,” Rush said.
HTMS Principal Jennifer Abney released the following statement about the threat to the middle school:
“We want to make you aware of a threat that was made by a student on one of our buses. The threat was reported to school administration, and our threat assessment protocol was immediately initiated. Administrators worked with our school resource officers to ensure student safety and assess the credibility of the threat.
“The threat assessment protocol was followed, and the Trussville Police Department is investigating the incident. Student code of conduct was followed as it pertains to a threat.
“All students and faculty are safe.
“Classes and general school operations were never disrupted, and the school day is continuing as normal. The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our number one priority.”
Acting Superintendent Frank Costanzo released the following statement about the threats:
“Earlier this morning, I was notified by Hewitt-Trussville Middle School (HTMS) administrators about a threat made by a student on one of our HTMS buses. The administrators and SRO initiated the threat assessment protocol. Administrators worked with our school resource officers to ensure student safety and assess the credibility of the threat. The Student Code of Conduct and threat assessment protocol were followed and the Trussville Police Department is investigating the incident. All students and faculty are safe. Classes and general school operations were never disrupted and the school day continued as normal.
“Please be assured that the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff are our number one priority. In the last few weeks, our system has experienced several threats. Through the required assessment protocol, most have been deemed un-credible. Unfortunately, students make bad choices that lead to serious actions.
“I would like to ask each parent to have a conversation with your child. Please relay to your children the gravity and consequences of making statements of threats. Even playful, “just kidding” statements must be investigated and evaluated through the threat assessment protocol. Please stress the serious nature of threats to your children.
“The Trussville City School System is fortunate to have the support of our School Resource Officers (SRO’s). School Administrators and SRO’s will evaluate every threat, written or verbal, and the Student Code of Conduct will be administered. No exceptions!
“We encourage students, parents and our community to “if you see something, please say something”. You may report the information to any administrator or directly to me. My contact information is included below.
“Parents, thank you for acting as partners with the school system to educate our students on the seriousness of these actions. Please be assured that all threats are taken seriously. Over the next days and weeks, our school administrators will be communicating with students about the seriousness and consequences for violating the Student Code of Conduct.
“Working together, the Trussville City Schools will remain safe for our students, faculty and staff. Our mission is to educate all students using high standards in a safe, nurturing environment fostering academic and career competencies that prepare them to be productive citizens.
“Thank you for taking this important action to speak with your children. The safety and security of our students, faculty and staff is our number one priority. Thank you for helping us with this important mission.”
HTHS Acting Principal Joy Young released the following statement about the threat to the high school:
“I want to make you aware of a threat reported to the HTHS administration this morning. Our school administrators worked quickly with our school resource officer to assess the threat’s credibility and keep students safe.
“Our protocols were followed and the threat is not credible.
“Classes and general school operations were never disrupted; the school day is continuing as normal. The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our number one priority.”
The story will be updated when more information is available.
