This morning at approximately 7:58 AM, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded to hoax threats targeting two local schools. An anonymous caller reported that an individual armed with an AR-15 was hiding in a bathroom at Cane Creek Elementary, prompting a hard lockdown and an immediate full search by deputies. The same type of threat was also called in to Cookeville High School. In both cases, deputies thoroughly cleared the buildings and confirmed there was no active threat.

Authorities have determined both incidents were hoaxes, likely originating from the same group responsible for similar false threats against Cane Creek Elementary and the Courthouse last week. According to Sheriff Eddie Farris, Homeland Security and the FBI have linked these calls to a broader pattern of hoax threats occurring across the country. Investigators believe the perpetrators are not local to Putnam County or even Tennessee. The joint investigation with federal partners is ongoing, with the goal of identifying and prosecuting those responsible.

Sheriff Farris emphasized that all school threats are taken seriously and responded to immediately, noting that while these were hoaxes, such calls create fear and disrupt education.