SPALDING COUNTY, Ga. — Every school in Spalding County was on lockdown Thursday afternoon after a man made threats to the school system, according to police.
The Griffin Police Department told Channel 2 Action News that a man made threatening remarks against the schools and the police.
The lockdown affected about 10,000 students in 18 schools.
Channel 2’s Tom Regan learned that the man who is accused of making the threats has been living in a transitional home.
Joseph Miller Jr., 28, is accused of threatening to attack a school and the Griffin police station.
Miller lives in a home that helps those struggling to get back on their feet.
“Is he a violent person, or mentally disturbed?” Regan asked shelter director Walter Walker.
“He had only been here a couple of days. We haven't had the opportunity to evaluate that," Walker said.
Walker said police came to the home looking for Miller.
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“They wanted to talk with him about threats he had made of shooting up the police department and the school,” Walker said.
Griffin police said that the threats were spoken to the suspect’s brother, who in turn called 911.
“Any time someone makes that type of treat against the school system, police, we take that seriously,” said Lt. Michael Natale, with the Griffin Police Department
The superintendent ordered the lockdown at all public schools as authorities searched for Miller.
“It's for the safety of our students and staff," said Judy Parker, with Griffin-Spalding County Schools. “We did an automated call immediately, as soon as we put the schools on lockdown. We have an automated system, so parents will receive a call or text.”
Kishon Le'mon has two brothers at this elementary school.
“What did you think when you got that text?” Regan asked Le'mon.
“Anything, everything. Are they safe? Are they OK?” Le'mon said.
“It's nerve-wracking. People are crazy these days. What can you do?" said parent Jessica Rinehart.
Police said they found Miller outside a county services building and took him into custody.
Investigators searched his belongings at his home and say they found ammo and a flare gun.
“Once we heard the guy was caught, we were OK," Le'mon told Regan.
Police said they're still questioning the suspect, and have not yet filed charges.