Parents: Schools Should Have Notified Us of Man's Alleged Threats

Some Forsyth County parents say the school system should have notified them of an incident involving a Cumming man, who allegedly made threats to shoot up a school after buying a gun.

Joseph “Joe” John Medved, 51, of Goldmine Road, was was arrested Thursday on an accusation he threatened to "(shoot) up a school with a long rifle," Forsyth County Sheriff's Office authorities said. He faces a charge of making terroristic threats and acts in Fulton County, where the alleged comment was made.

Forsyth County Schools officials said no threats were made against local schools. The system Friday released this statement:
On September 12, 2013, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office arrested a Forsyth County man for allegedly threatening a school in Gwinnett County. At no time were threats made against a Forsyth County school, however since the man lives in Forsyth County our School Safety Department, school administrative staff and School Resource Officers (SROs) were made aware of the alleged threat. Our staff was in constant contact with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office throughout the investigation and arrest, and at no time on September 12 were Forsyth County schools put on lockdown for this situation.

But some parents say Forsyth County Schools should have notified them of the alleged threats, regardless of locations.
"Reports are that there was not a 'specific' school named but just 'a school' in general. This man lives in Cumming and purchased a gun in Cumming after the (alleged) remark about 'shooting up' a school. Police notified Forsyth (County) Schools. How is (this) not (considered) a 'threat?' Considering the police took it serious enough to notify the Forsyth (County) Schools and arrest him, parents should have been notified by the school system on Wednesday," Angie Fountain commented on the school system's Facebook page. "If there is a general threat/concern about any school, named or not, it should be my decision, not that of the BOE, to send my child to school."
Another parent disagreed.

"Do you all realize the chaos that would have come with a notification? I have (four) kids in Forsyth schools and I would have wanted to go get them if I had gotten (a) phone call," commented Jennifer Armstrong. "It just wouldn't have been a wise choice to make an announcement.

"They would have let us know if it truly were something serious. This guy was being followed and there is no way a cop would have let him get anywhere near a school." 


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