Emergency Response to Multiple Cookeville Schools

May 19, 2026

Cookeville, TN – On Tuesday, May 19, 2026, officers with the Cookeville Police

Department responded to multiple schools within the city limits of Cookeville following

reports of potential active threats. The schools involved included Cookeville High School,

Cane Creek Elementary School, Jere Whitson Elementary School, Highland Rim

Academy, and Capshaw Elementary School.

Officers responded immediately and worked closely with school administrators and

partner agencies to assess and secure each campus. After thorough investigations and

safety checks, all schools were cleared and determined to have no active threats.

Out of an abundance of caution, officers are also conducting increased patrols and

maintaining an active law enforcement presence at additional schools within the city limits,

including Prescott South Elementary School, Northeast Elementary School, Sycamore

Elementary School, Avery Trace Middle School, and Park View Elementary School.

Officers will continue to remain highly visible throughout the school day to help ensure the

safety and reassurance of students, staff, and parents.

The Cookeville Police Department understands the concern and anxiety situations like this

create within our community. The safety of our schools and children remains our highest

priority, and we are committed to responding quickly and thoroughly to all reported threats.

We are supporting the ongoing investigation being conducted by lead agencies and will

continue to provide any assistance necessary in response to these incidents. Threats

toward schools are taken extremely seriously, and law enforcement agencies will work

together to ensure the safety of our community and hold the responsible party

accountable.

We appreciate the cooperation of school staff, parents, students, and the community

during today’s response efforts.