Powell Middle School in Knoxville was evacuated Friday as a precaution after a reported threat sent emergency responders and Knox County school security personnel rushing to the campus. Knox County Schools later said the threat was unfounded and students had returned to class.
According to WVLT, emergency responders and Knox County school security personnel are on scene at Powell Middle School, and law enforcement and school safety officials are investigating the reported threat. Powell Middle School, located in Knoxville, sent a notification to parents and families confirming the precautionary evacuation, per the same report.
What Officials Have Said So Far
School administrators said they would provide updates as more information becomes available, the outlet's report notes. Beyond that notification to families, the station's account does not detail what prompted the evacuation or how long it might last.
WVLT reported that it reached out to Knox County Schools and the Knox County Sheriff's Office for additional details. As of the station's report, no further information had been provided by either agency.
A Recent Knox County Comparison
The evacuation follows a separate incident earlier this month at Carter Middle School, also in Knox County, where a potential bomb threat was found written on a bathroom wall. That evacuation began at 9:56 a.m. on September 4, according to foxchattanooga.com, which reported that students were sent to a football field while authorities searched the school.
That earlier evacuation had a costly outcome: 21 students were treated and transported for varying degrees of heat exhaustion, including three considered critical when transported, foxchattanooga.com reported. Students were allowed back into the Carter Middle School building roughly 50 to 55 minutes after the search began, per that same account.
Knox County Schools said the threat was unfounded and students had returned to class.
