A bomb threat reported at Cane Creek Elementary School in Cookeville, Tennessee, on Friday morning was quickly determined to be a hoax.

At around 9:20 AM, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) responded after a call was made to the school. Deputies evacuated the building and conducted a thorough search with an explosive detection K9, while maintaining phone contact with the caller. The individual claimed to have placed multiple explosive devices inside and outside the school and admitted to making similar hoax threats in the past.

Authorities, including Sheriff Farris, believe the incident was a “swatting” call likely originating from outside the local area. It may be connected to other recent hoax threats reported at locations like the local courthouse and across Tennessee. On May 11, 2026, the Tennessee Department of Safety had already noted 13 separate hoax threats made against schools statewide.

The investigation remains active, with PCSO working alongside the FBI. Sheriff Farris stressed that all school threats are taken seriously, with student, teacher, and staff safety remaining the top priority.