UPDATE: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Normal operations have resumed at Riverdale High School after law enforcement determined that a reported threat against the school Wednesday morning was false, according to Rutherford County Schools. In an 11:10 a.m. update sent to parents and local media, district spokesperson and Chief Communications Officer James Evans said the threat phone call received earlier in the day had been fully investigated.

“After a thorough investigation, law enforcement has determined the phone call was a false threat and that a similar call was placed to law enforcement about a school in another county,” Evans stated. “Normal operations are resuming at Riverdale. We appreciate your patience as we worked through this situation. Please know that school safety is always our top priority.”

The update followed an earlier message issued after local law enforcement dispatch received a call reporting a possible threat against the campus. As a precaution, the school was placed on a temporary hold while authorities investigated. Students who had already arrived at school were secured in their homeroom classrooms, and a significant police presence was visible on and around the campus.

According to the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office - Investigators determined the false call threatening Riverdale High School Wednesday stemmed from outside of the United States, a Rutherford County Sheriff’s supervisor said. An investigation also showed a similar call was made to another Middle Tennessee school Tuesday, as noted by Sheriff’s School Resource Officer Capt. Barry Hendrixson.

Prior to the threat being made, assigned SROs for Riverdale were already at the school. Reports from the Sheriff's Office show that dispatchers received the phone call at 8:21 a.m. on Wednesday morning.

The Rutherford County Schools reported that Riverdale’s administration acted fast and locked down the school as soon as they learned about the threat. Later, normal operations resumed after learning the threat was false.

Four SRO supervisors, patrol deputies, Murfreesboro Police, Homeland Security officers, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the school and launched the investigation. “The response was immediate,” Hendrixson said. “There was good cooperation with all the agencies involved.”

More Details on the Incident Wednesday - For those who may be new to the area, Riverdale High School is located on Warrior Drive in Murfreesboro, between South Church Street and Highway 99. Needless to say, if you drove past the school directly after the threatening phone call was received, you likely saw a large law enforcement presence.

According to school officials, the response involved School Resource Officers already assigned to the campus, along with deputies from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, officers from the Murfreesboro Police Department, and Homeland Security personnel.

In a statement, the Sheriff’s Office further confirmed that School Resource Officers were notified immediately and that multiple agencies responded to investigate the reported threat.

During the investigation, social media posts and comments from concerned parents and community members circulated widely, with some speculating about weapons or a possible shooting. Officials stressed that those claims were not confirmed and urged the public to rely on verified information from school and law enforcement officials.

Authorities emphasized throughout the response that there was no confirmation of an active threat. No injuries were reported, and no arrests were announced.

Rutherford County Schools said communication with families would continue as needed and thanked parents, students, and staff for their cooperation during the precautionary response.

• See Previous News Article HERE.