NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Noose Found In Sumner Co. School

Noose Found In Sumner Co. School

GALLATIN, Tenn. - A noose was found in the restroom of a Midstate high school.

A noose was created out of paper towels inside a student restroom at Gallatin High School. A threatening message about a black staff member was also scrawled on the walls.

"Derogatory is the way I would describe it," Sheriff Bob Barker said about the message written on the wall.

The school district and the local sheriff's office held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to discuss the issue.

‘This is a sad day for me and for our school system," said Sumner County Schools Director Benny Bills.

Officials said they're taking the matter issue seriously and they plan to find out who did this and why.

"We'll make sure that everything is done properly to ensure the safety and welfare of all of our students in Sumner County," Bills said.

Administrators said a letter was sent to parents explaining the incident.

Investigators said it doesn't appear the staff member targeted in this case is in any danger.

The incident comes on the heels of a similar controversy at Poplar Grove Middle School in Williamson County. Parents were angered when they realized they were not immediately informed about a noose found hanging in a student restroom.

Sumner County investigators are not sure if the recent incident is a copy cat. Administrators questioned about 12 students and a few staff members in efforts to find out who did this.

School officials said this is the first time anything like this has ever happened.

The school district contacted the local NAACP branch to alert them about the situation and to inquire if they would like to be a part of the investigation.