Threatening Voicemail Prompts School Closures, Swift Response Leads to Arrest

CHEATHAM COUNTY, Tenn. — A series of threatening voicemails prompted the closure of Cheatham County schools on Monday, May 19, 2025, as law enforcement and school officials acted swiftly to protect students and staff.

After students and staff arrived at Kingston Springs Elementary School that morning, a voicemail containing threats of mass violence was discovered. It was soon determined that the same phone number had left similar voicemails at West Cheatham Elementary School and Cheatham Middle School.

In an abundance of caution, students were dismissed from all county schools. School officials immediately began working with the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security and the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office to investigate the threats. Thanks to their rapid and coordinated response, a suspect was identified, detained, and charged with three counts of making threats of mass violence to a school.

Multiple agencies, including the Tennessee Highway Patrol and Metro Nashville Police Department, assisted in sweeping the buildings with explosive detecting K-9s. All campuses were cleared without incident.

The suspect, identified as an adult resident of Robertson County, is now in custody. Authorities have confirmed that there is no longer any threat to school campuses.

All school activities are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, May 20. Some schools may hold previously planned activities on the evening of Monday, May 19, and will notify families directly with further details.

School officials issued a reminder that all threats—regardless of intent—are taken seriously, and those responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“We are grateful for the swift action taken by our schools and law enforcement,” the district stated. “Their professionalism helped ensure the well-being of everyone involved. Families, we thank you for your outstanding cooperation during this situation.”