McMinn County, Tenn. — Two juveniles have been charged following the discovery of a disturbing video that allegedly outlined a planned attack on McMinn County High School. The investigation, which began Thursday evening, led to swift action by local authorities and school officials.
McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy reported that the situation was brought to light by a concerned parent who contacted authorities around 10:30 p.m. Thursday. The parent had discovered a video on their child’s phone that was made in November. The video included troubling statements about a planned school attack, involving firearms and naming potential targets among students.
Although the video was filmed several months ago, Sheriff Guy emphasized the seriousness of the content and the need for immediate intervention. “Although the video had been made almost three months ago, statements were made regarding a planned attack with firearms, so of course we felt that the situation demanded quick attention,” Guy said.
Following the discovery, Sheriff Guy immediately notified McMinn County School Safety Supervisor Justin Wallace, McMinn High School School Resource Officer (SRO) Sgt. Jeremy Moore, and a local Homeland Security Agent. Within the hour, Wallace had spoken with the suspects’ parents, arranged for their suspension from school, and scheduled psychological evaluations for both students.
On Friday, law enforcement officials, including Wallace, the SROs, and the Homeland Security agent, began a thorough investigation, which included reviewing the video, interviewing the suspects, and collecting additional evidence from their phones. Sheriff Guy confirmed that more concerning material was found on the students’ devices.
“We are grateful to the parent for notifying law enforcement of the concerning material that prompted our actions and investigation,” said School Safety Supervisor Wallace. “At no point Friday did we believe that our students or staff were in imminent danger, and that is still the case today due to the collaborative efforts of our school administration and law enforcement.”
The school district’s established safety protocols were credited with ensuring a swift and safe resolution to the situation. Wallace assured that parents of students mentioned as potential targets in the video had been notified, and no further threats had been identified.
As of Sunday, both juveniles—who have not been identified—were charged with conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism. One of the juveniles is currently in custody at the Bradley County Juvenile Detention Center, while the other is undergoing treatment at a mental health facility. The second juvenile is expected to be transferred to the detention center upon completion of their treatment.
Sheriff Guy confirmed that both students’ phones and other devices had been sent for digital forensic evaluation, and authorities are continuing to investigate for any additional information related to the planned attack. No additional suspects have been identified.
The case highlights the importance of vigilance and cooperation between the community, school officials, and law enforcement in preventing potential tragedies. With the quick response of all parties involved, McMinn County officials were able to mitigate what could have been a dangerous situation, ensuring the safety of students and staff.
