The Trion Fire Department has released their call report for August.  They answered a total of 55 calls including 11 residential structure fires and 5 commercial alarms; 5 illegal burns or woods fires and 9 medical assists.  They also responded to 1 motor vehicle accident, 2 natural gas leaks, downed tree or power lines and 1 search and rescue.  The Trion Fire Department also participated in 1 Tri-State Mutual Aid call during the month of August and one “special alarm”.

LaFayette Public Safety Director Stacey Meeks said at a press conference held this morning at Trion City Schools that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate an incident in which a LaFayette Police Officer accidently shot himself inside Trion School while responding to a threat.  Meeks said that LaFayette responded at the request of Trion Police Chief David Gilliland.  The officer, who received non-life threatening injuries, was treated on the scene and then taken to the hospital.  He is expected to fully recover.  The officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

On Saturday, September 7th, Trion City School officials were notified that a threat had been made towards Trion High School by a student from another school. A picture was posted on social media of a person holding a rifle with the caption “Who next”  and was attached to the picture. A GPS pin had been dropped at the location of Trion High School that was included in the social media post. Law enforcement officials were contacted and the juvenile was arrested and remains detained. On Monday morning, September 9th, Trion City Schools added law enforcement officials to the campus and operated under a “soft lockdown” as a precautionary measure. There was no immediate threat, but safety protocols were followed.

On Tuesday night, September 10th, Trion City Schools received another social media threat by a Trion Middle School student. The juvenile was arrested Tuesday night and has been detained. Because of the arrest, there was no immediate threat or danger. On Wednesday morning, September 11th, additional law enforcement officials were on campus as a precautionary measure.

On Wednesday morning, September 11th at approximately 9 am., law enforcement and school officials received information that someone may have a gun at Trion High School. A picture of someone holding a rifle (same picture that was used with the threat on Saturday), was sent by a student from another school system to a Trion High School student. Trion City Schools immediately went to a “hard lockdown” while the threat was being investigated. All lockers, vehicles, bookbags, etc. were searched by law enforcement and school officials. No weapon was discovered during the search and investigation.

During the “hard lockdown”, law enforcement officials were securing each hallway in the elementary, middle, and high school. A law enforcement officer accidentally discharged his weapon, and shot himself in the foot, while scanning the 2nd and 3rd grade hallway. The officer was transported to receive medical attention. All students and teachers were in their classrooms, and were not in danger. The gunshot was heard by students and staff on the 2nd and 3rd grade hallway.

School safety is the number one priority at Trion City Schools. We will continue to take all threats seriously, and we will follow our school safety protocols to ensure the safety of our students and staff.

UPDATED: 11:20 AM

Chattooga County Sheriff Mark Schrader told local media at 9:30 AM that Trion Schools are on a full lockdown after a threat was sent via text to a student at Trion. The sheriff says that it was a threat about a gun on the premises that was sent from out of county.

Sheriff Schrader says the student outside the county that sent the text has been identified and is being interviewed by that school’s SRO. The sheriff says the text was not a “direct threat” but indicated that there was a firearm on school property and the sheriff’s office along with Trion Police Department and Trion School officials are still investigating.

Also, a law enforcement officer from a neighboring jurisdiction accidently shot himself in the foot at Trion City Schools this morning.  Sheriff Schrader said it was an “unfortunate incident”.  The officer received medical treatment for the non-life-threatening injury.

Trion student’s parents were told that they could pick up their children from the school earlier this morning.

The sheriff, Trion Police and school officials are urging the public to remain calm while the investigation into the incident continues.

Today is September 11th – Patriot Day. It is a national day of remembrance that commemorates the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania. Established by a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President George W. Bush in December 2001, Patriot Day serves as a reminder of the impact of that day on the nation and the world. It is a day for Americans to honor the memories of those who perished, to pay tribute to the bravery of the first responders, and to reflect on the values of freedom, democracy, and resilience.

Here is the latest arrest report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office for Wednesday, September 11, 2024:

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September is Hunger Action Month and the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, Feeding America, is calling on everyone to take action to end hunger. During the month-long campaign, Feeding America is urging the public to collectively take one million actions to create change and end hunger by donating, advocating, volunteering or spreading the word online.

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