Sheriff: Threat of Taylor County school shooting is not credible

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office and the Butler Police Department are investigating reports of a school threat there. The sheriff did not specify which school was allegedly being targeted in a statement on their Facebook page late Thursday night.

The Taylor County School System is aware of rumors circulating regarding an alleged threat of a shooting at one of the schools Friday. All information and allegations that have been brought to the attention of law enforcement have been checked, and at this time, there is no credible evidence to support the claim.

Even though the information has not been substantiated, the safety of students and staff remains our highest priority the sheriff said. Out of an abundance of caution, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Butler Police Department, will have an increased law enforcement presence at our schools Friday September 4, 2026.

Law enforcement is continuing to investigate the origin of these rumors and is working to identify the individual(s) responsible for making the alleged threat. If the investigation substantiates that a criminal threat was intentionally made, the responsible individual will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The sheriff is asking parents, students, and community members to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information on social media or through other channels. Anyone who receives information regarding a potential threat should report it immediately to school officials or law enforcement rather than sharing it publicly.