Social media threat prompts lockout at Antioch, Glencliff high schools

Two south Nashville Metro Schools are on soft lockdown for the day following a social media threat reportedly involving a clown, according to information from school officials and a Metro-Nashville dispatcher.

Metro police responded to Antioch High School at 1900 Hobson Pike and Glencliff High School at160 Antioch Pike Wednesday as a precaution, according to dispatch and school officials.

Ameerah Palacios, a schools spokeswoman, said the district received word of unspecified social media threats made against both schools about 8 a.m.

She would not release details about the threats but said authorities have deemed them to be not credible.

Palacios said that out of an abundance of caution the schools have been placed on a modified lockout.

"That will last throughout the day," Palacios said. “Metro Police are involved in investigating the origin of the threat and there will be an increased presence of metro security and police throughout the day.

Metro Schools described the schools as being on lockout. "School goes on as normal inside. Outside doors are locked, limited traffic in & out," the district tweeted.

They also tweeted "Principal is communicating directly with families about what's happening."

The incidents come on the heels of recent claims concerning scary clowns frightening people that have been reported around the country.

Man claiming to be threatening clown arrested in Coffee County

Reports of clown sightings began in South Carolina in August and have since spread across the nation scaring children, teenagers and parents while frustrating police juggling whether the claims have any merit.

In some cases, including one that recently occurred south of Nashville in Coffee County, people have been arrested or cited.

George Randy Hoppe, 64, of Manchester was arrested on a stalking charge Friday after Coffee County Sheriff's Office authorities say he called 911 claiming to be the clown who had been threatening children.

According to an arrest warrant, Hoppe told the dispatcher he was going to kidnap children and the dispatcher, cut off their ears and perform other lewd acts.

Serious or just a sick joke? What we know about creepy clown reports

Man claiming to be threatening clown arrested in Coffee County

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.