February 21, 2024 - (9:27am) - Timpson ISD was the location of a potential threat by a student on the morning of Wednesday, February 21, 2024.
According to a Timpson ISD social media post, “For the purpose of transparency, Timpson ISD is announcing that school officials were informed of a student who had made potential threats this morning. TISD worked with local law enforcement to ensure that all of our campuses were safe. Timpson ISD would like to thank local law enforcement and school officials who work to make sure that our schools are safe.”
(Update): Shelby County Constables joined together and addressed the concern once it was brought to their attention. Josh Tipton, Constable Precinct 5, states he received a phone call around 8:30pm Tuesday, February 20, from a concerned parent in the Timpson ISD school district regarding their child's conversation with another student about a third student.
Once Constable Tipton read the contents of the messages shared with him by parents, it was determined further investigation was necessary to determine the credibility of the allegations.
Assistance was requested by Constable Tipton in that of Constable Taylor Fanguy, Constable Roy Cheatwood, and Constable Jamie Hagler. Together, the constables interviewed the parents and student from whom the messages were first reported, and after that the constables then spoke with the parents and another student that had text information on the same conversations which included threatening comments of harm. Additional information relating to the suspect student’s recent behavior and activity was also learned.
After the constables had spoken with the previously mentioned parties, they returned to the Precinct 5 Constable office and debriefed one another on the information which had been learned up to that point at 1am.
Constable Tipton says District Attorney Karren Price and County Attorney John Price were notified and updated throughout the investigation during Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
The constables were at Timpson ISD staged at the middle school by approximately 6:30am Wednesday morning awaiting the arrival of the student. At that time Superintendent Mid Johnson was staged at the High School, while Timpson ISD Police Chief Harold Rapsilver was in the vicinity of the elementary school and event center. According to Constable Tipton, Middle School Principal Chris Nickleberry identified the student to constables when the student arrived.
“Constables made contact with the student as they were exiting the vehicle, and escorted the student to an isolated area, separating the student and their backpack,” said Constable Tipton. “At which time, the school police chief was notified and superintendent of the school was notified.”
No weapon was found and the student was then turned over to Timpson ISD after deemed safe. Juvenile Probation was contacted and took custody of the student.
“A big thank you to the students, see something, say something,” said Constable Tipton. “The constables of this county are committed to the safety of our children and our schools.”
Constable Tipton said this was a group effort of county and school officials working together for the safety of the community at all hours.
He thanked the constables, Justices of the Peace Donna Hughes and Tracy Broadway, school officials Mid Johnson, Chris Nickleberry, Chief Harold Rapsilver, and Juvenile Probation.
“It was a big group effort, late, late at night. We’re talking about 1, 2 o’clock in the morning, county elected officials up in the middle of the night all pulling together for the good of our kids,” said Constable Tipton.
Constable Tipton encouraged vigilance in the community and by the students in being aware of even the smallest of concerns.
“No matter how small they think it is, they still need to tell their parents and their parents can make that decision to at least call us and make us aware,” said Constable Tipton.
He encouraged parents to please let their children understand how serious things kids say must be taken.
