Two families have taken legal action against Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Williamson County School District after their middle school children were arrested, strip-searched, placed in solitary confinement, and placed on house arrest due to misinterpretations of a Tennessee statute regarding threats of mass violence. The incidents, which occurred in August 2023, involved students being accused of making threatening speech that did not meet the criteria outlined in the statute.
The lawsuit challenges the way school officials implemented the Tennessee statute, which mandates a one-year expulsion for students found to have made threats of mass violence. One incident involved a 14-year-old boy who mentioned guns in a conversation with friends, leading to his arrest and house arrest. The other incident involved a 13-year-old girl whose joke about killing “the Mexicos” resulted in her arrest, strip search, and suspension.
The families’ attorney, Larry Crain, stated that the Tennessee zero-tolerance law is being used inappropriately against children, leading to emotional trauma and harm. The lawsuit seeks to have the law declared unconstitutional and seeks compensatory damages against the school district for referring children for criminal prosecution.
Everytown for Gun Safety has highlighted the negative effects of zero-tolerance policies on students, particularly those of color, and recommended a more compassionate approach to addressing behavior issues in schools. The organization’s report emphasizes the need for interventions that do not rely on punitive measures and do not criminalize students for non-threatening behavior.
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