Dade County Schools and government offices were placed on lockdown Monday, November 9, following a reported threat of a mass shooting at the Dade County Public Library in Trenton.
According to WRCB Local 3 News in Chattanooga, authorities responded after an individual contacted dispatchers and claimed they were planning to carry out a mass shooting at the library. However, the Dade County Public Library is closed on Mondays.
Dade County Sheriff’s Office Captain Chad Payne told Local 3 that deputies immediately responded to the area and began searching for a possible suspect.
“We had a person call dispatch and say they were about to commit a mass shooting at the library. Officers saturated the area and immediately began searching for a suspected shooter. All schools were immediately placed on lockdown, out of an abundance of caution. We are still currently searching for the subject, but haven’t located anything yet,” Payne said.
As a precaution, all Dade County Schools were placed on lockdown while law enforcement investigated the threat.
Dade County Schools Superintendent Josh Ingle confirmed that the lockdown was prompted by an alleged threat made near the public library in Trenton.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that no direct threats had been made against any Dade County schools. School officials said the lockdown would remain in effect until law enforcement issued an all-clear.
Deputies were searching areas around the Dade County Sheriff’s Office and Veterans Memorial Park as part of the investigation. Authorities also asked the public to avoid the Dade County Square while officers conducted their search.
Additionally, all Dade County government offices were placed on lockdown, according to staff at the Dade County Courthouse.
As of the initial report, authorities had not located a suspect, and the reported threat had not been confirmed.
Residents are encouraged to avoid the affected area and follow instructions from local law enforcement as the investigation continues.
This is a developing story. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
Source: WRCB Local 3 News, Chattanooga.