Monday afternoon at approximately 4:00 pm, Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department, and East Ridge Police Department personnel were made aware of a meme that was circulating throughout social media outlets in our local area. The meme contained what many students and parents perceived as a threat or warning that affected three local high schools in Hamilton County. In light of the recent tragic events in Florida, the meme caused great concern among parents.

Due to the fact law enforcement must take all perceived threats as real, SRO’s and investigators with both the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, the Chattanooga Police Department, and the East Ridge Police Department immediately began to investigate to find the origin of the meme and if a legitimate threat existed. Law enforcement from both agencies worked tirelessly through the night to investigate and locate where the meme originated.

A local female juvenile has been identified as the creator of the meme and charges will be filed in juvenile court against her for filing a false report due to the fact her actions caused great community alarm.

After locating the creator of the meme, it was determined no real threat was viable.

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, Chattanooga Police Department, and East Ridge Police Department wish to make it clear that any and ALL threats or perceived threats against our community’s schools and our community’s children will be investigated.  Any person found to be participating in creating hoaxes or threats will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Subsequently, there have been additional hoax threats made and currently a male juvenile student is also in custody from a different school with similar charges being filed in Juvenile Court.

Furthermore, electronic devices used to facilitate and spread threats or hoaxes are subject to search and seizure.