A juvenile suspect has confessed to making the bomb threat that forced the evacuation of Claxton Elementary School on Tuesday, authorities said.
The bomb threat to the elementary school was reported to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department just before noon on Tuesday.
The school was immediately evacuated, and students and staff were placed off property at Zion Baptist Church. Students were not able to return to school and were dismissed from the church, according to a press release from Tyler Mayes, director of administrative services for the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department.
The Sheriff’s Department, with the assistance of a bomb detection K9 from Knox County, searched the school and found no evidence of a bomb, the press release said.
“Detectives with the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigations Division immediately opened an investigation and quickly located a suspect who has since confessed to making the threat,” the press release said. “The suspect’s name will not be released as they are a juvenile.”
Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker praised the staff and administration for the school system for a quick response.
“The job done by Claxton Elementary School’s staff and administration was extraordinary,” Barker said in the press release. “Their quick response is indicative of how well they are trained. The cooperation between our departments led to a successful evacuation and a confession from a suspect. Great teamwork by all involved.”
Greg Deal, deputy director of Anderson County Schools, said that “Anderson County Schools take all threats very seriously and we will cooperate with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department in holding individuals responsible for such acts.”
School was on normal schedule the following day, the press release said.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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