Gibbs High School student posted racist video, arrested after threatening gun violence
A 16-year-old sophomore at Gibbs High School was arrested Friday after posting a video containing racist slurs, then threatening violence at the school.
The student, who is not being named because he is a minor, was taken to juvenile detention and charged with threats of mass violence.
"At no time was a weapon located on school property or in the possession of the suspect," said Kimberly Glenn, Knox County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, in a written statement Monday to Knox News.
The Sheriff's Office was called to the school about 8:15 a.m. Friday after several other students who were angry about the racist language in the video – he repeatedly used an offensive racist slur for Black people – threatened to beat up him and his girlfriend, Glenn said. In response, the student who was arrested threatened gun violence.
Gibbs Principal Jason Webster sent a message to Gibbs families after school was let out Friday acknowledging that a student had been arrested.
"I wanted to make you aware that a student was arrested this morning after a social media threat was reported," Webster wrote. "The administration immediately notified school security and law enforcement, which handled the situation quickly."
The student who was arrested remains in custody, Glenn said.
Knox County Schools spokeswoman Carly Harrington told Knox News on Monday the district is awaiting the final report from its School Security Division and will share it once it is done.
"The safety of students is our top priority, and we encourage everyone to always be alert and share any information that could potentially cause danger," Harrington said in a written statement provided to Knox News. "We take all reports seriously and will investigate to make sure our students are safe."
Harrington said KCS does not discuss disciplinary action taken against individual students.
Angela Dennis covers issues at the intersection of race and equity through both contemporary and historical lenses.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Gibbs student arrested after threatening gun violence, KCSO says
