Patrol cars from the Jasper Police Department blocked intersections leading up to Walker High School early Monday morning while JPD officers assisted school officials with threat assessment during a bomb threat. - Photo by: Elane Jones.
Jasper Police Chief Connie Cooner Rowe said the Jasper Police Department received a call from school officials around 8 a.m. Monday about a potential bomb threat.
“We responded to the scene and assisted the school administrators with the threat assessment, while the students were held in homeroom,” Rowe said. “When we completed the assessment and determined everything was OK, school officials continued with the school day.”
Jasper City Schools Superintendent Robert Sparkman called the bomb threat “a hoax,” and said the incident is still under investigation.
“We received information pretty early on that led us to believe the threat was a hoax and was initiated by a student or students,” he said. “We took the neccessary precautions until we knew everything was safe. This has moved from a threat to a disciplinary matter.”
Sparkman said once the investigation into the incident is complete, anyone responsible could face serious consequences.
“Charges could be filed through the police department. There could also be disciplinary measures that would require a hearing with the board. A punishment of expulsion is also possible,” Sparkman said.
The school board appreciated the help of the Jasper Police Department, Sparkman said.
“The Jasper Police Department is there for us when we need them, and we always appreciate that. Chief Rowe was advising us all along the way during this situation,” he said. “The administration and staff at Walker High School also did a super job Monday taking the precautions that needed to be taken.”