Paducah teen charged in McCracken County High School threat investigation

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

PADUCAH, Ky., (KBSI) — The McCracken County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has charged a 15-year-old boy from Valdosta, Georgia, in connection with a threat that prompted a lockdown at McCracken County High School on Oct. 31, 2025.

According to MCSO, deputies were dispatched after school resource officers reported a phone call threatening a school shooting. As a precaution, the high school was placed on lockdown while deputies and additional resource officers secured the scene. After a thorough assessment, officials determined the threat was not immediate, and students were safely escorted from the building.

Detectives began investigating immediately and, with assistance from school resource officers, developed a lead on a suspect in Valdosta. Local law enforcement in Georgia located the juvenile, and following further investigation, MCSO detectives confirmed the male teen made the threat to McCracken County High School.

The McCracken County Attorney’s Office authorized an arrest warrant for the suspect, who has been charged with second-degree terroristic threatening.

Authorities said additional potential illegal activity discovered during the investigation is being handled by the Valdosta Police Department.

The MCSO thanked the Valdosta Police Department, McCracken County Public Schools, MCPS Police Department, and the students, staff, and families for their cooperation and patience during the incident.