On Sunday, May 3, 2026, at approximately 4:14 PM, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) received a report from the Cookeville Police Department about a male caller who made a bomb threat against the Putnam County Courthouse. The caller claimed to have placed bombs around the courthouse, said he had armed individuals in the area, and demanded $10,000. Deputies and detectives quickly responded to secure the scene and conducted thorough searches of both the Old Courthouse at 300 E Spring St and the Justice Center Courthouse at 421 E Spring St. No signs of forced entry or explosive devices were found, confirming the threat as false.

During the subsequent investigation, Detective Etheredge traced the phone number and discovered it had been used to make similar bomb threats to multiple jurisdictions in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, and Iowa over the past month, with some locations receiving repeated calls. Sheriff Farris emphasized that all threats of mass violence are taken seriously, noting the rapid response to ensure public safety, and stated that PCSO will continue working with other agencies to identify the perpetrator. The investigation remains ongoing.