Update to information from the threat of possible violence at Winona Secondary School.
On the morning of Thursday, March 9, 2023, the Montgomery County EOC called WMCSD Police Chief Burrell with information of a report from an adult stating that her daughter, a student at Winona Secondary School, received a text message stating possible violence at the school on that day at 10:30am.
Chief Burrell notified law enforcement officers from the Winona Police Department and the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and school district officials who met to plan for next steps in protecting our students and staff and identifying the person responsible for sending the text message. WMCSD School Resource Officer Herod and Chief Burrell contacted the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security who were able to provide information on the identity of the user.
The WMCSD Police Department contacted Grenada School District Police Chief Benji Britt who assisted in identifying the suspect. On Friday, March 10, 2023, a 15 year old female resident of Grenada was taken into custody and charged with Terroristic Threatening. A hearing was held before Judge Jimmy Vance and the minor was ordered to the juvenile detention center.
Winona-Montgomery Consolidated School District commends the student and parent for reporting the text message to authorities. This is an example of what should be done anytime there is a threat of violence at a school campus or event. WMCSD would like to again thank WMCSD Police Chief Burrell and Officer Herod as well as the Mississippi Office of Homeland Security, Winona Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County EOC. Additionally, we are grateful for the assistance received from the Grenada School District administration and their campus police.