WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — It was an unsettling Thursday for parents and students in West Memphis, Arkansas.
Some parents said their children received emails on Wednesday, Feb. 21 about threats of mass violence at Academies of West Memphis High School.
The West Memphis School District and parents took extra precautions at the school on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Throughout the school day, ABC24 staff saw parents picking their children up from school early and dropping them off late — this was on top of extra security at the school.
West Memphis School District Assistant Superintendent Willie Harris said West Memphis Police were immediately notified of the threats. He said robocalls were sent to only the parents of Academies of West Memphis High students.
He also said the district did not deem it necessary to close the school or contact parents in the entire district.
Demarco Coleman is a father of four and said the district should have communicated more.
"It's just heartbreaking because times are getting worse than they were before, and I check up on them even when they're at school — when I'm at work, I call," said Coleman. "I think everybody in the surrounding area should know about that."
Milwaukee Assistant Police Chief Raymond Banks was in town visiting family. He said school shootings happen way too often.
"It’s the world we’re leaving in today," he said. "Students have to worry, especially parents have to worry about their kids going to school and if they're going to come back home."
Some of his family members are students at Academies of West Memphis High, so he breathed a sigh of relief knowing law enforcement stepped in when they did and that no one was hurt.
"You see these incidents that occur across the country, and sometimes we find out about them too late, so the fact that you found out early, you count your blessings with that," said Assistant Chief Banks.
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon sent ABC24 the following statement:
As the Mayor of West Memphis, the safety and well-being of our community’s children, educators, and school staff are my top priorities. It has come to our attention that a threatening message regarding one of our schools has been circulating. We are taking this matter with the utmost seriousness.
First and foremost, I want to assure our residents that we are working closely with the West Memphis School District officials, and other agencies to thoroughly investigate this threat. We are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Enhanced security measures are being implemented immediately in and around our schools.
Let me be clear: threats against our schools are not only deeply disturbing, they are criminal acts. We are committed to ensuring that our schools are safe places for learning and growth. Anyone found to be responsible for this or any threat will face the full extent of the law.
We understand the anxiety and concerns that arise from such threats and want to reassure parents, students, and staff that their safety is our highest concern. We are working diligently to investigate the source of the threat and to assess its credibility.
I urge anyone who may have information to please contact the West Memphis Police Department anonymously at 870-732-7554. Your cooperation is crucial in our efforts to ensure the safety of our community.
We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. I ask for the community’s support, cooperation, and unity as we navigate this challenging situation together.
Assistant Superintendent Harris said the West Memphis Police Department, Crittenden County Sheriff’s office and the FBI are working to get to the bottom of who made these threats.