PRESS RELEASE- This morning, we were notified of a possible threat to a Gilmer County School(s). We immediately notified our SRO’s, as well as Gilmer School officials. As a result, the schools went into “secure mode.”

At this point, we have not been able to identify this alleged threat to be a credible threat. We are continuing to investigate the source of this threat, but it appears at this point to have originated from another county. As I’m sure you are aware, and if not, you should be aware, that since the tragedy that occurred this week in Barrow County, there have been multiple threats such as these all across the State of Georgia. THESE HAVE ALL BEEN FOUND NOT TO BE CREDIBLE THREATS. They are unfortunately “copy cat” threats meant to cause disruption and terror and are almost as despicable as a valid threat. My staff, as every district in the State, is in contact with State and Federal law enforcement as we try to determine the source of all of this.

Finally, please know this. It is our TOP PRIORITY to ensure the safety of the children in all of our schools, and we will do everything in our ability to do just that.

~Sheriff Stacy Nicholson