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Game halted due to threat
By Michael Butler
It might have seemed like just another Friday night. It did not turn out that way.
The Tallassee/Elmore County football game in Eclectic ended prematurely. With the score tied 14-14 after a timeout at the 2:25 mark of the third quarter, spectators heard an announcement over the public address system.
"Please vacate the stadium. Go home."
Fans exited. Players ran to their respective locker rooms but did not return to the field.
"There were threats of guns violence reported to law enforcement," the Eclectic Police Department noted in a press release. "The actions taken by Elmore County school officials and law enforcement were necessary to keep people safe from this threat. Everyone was evacuated safely from the stadium and school premises without incident."
Tallassee City Schools Superintendent Dr. Brock Nolin elaborated further.
"According to TPD officer Brian Clayton, three people were escorted out of the stadium at halftime. There were no arrests nor firearms found," said Nolin. "There was a supposed Facebook threat made. The Elmore County school officials decided to clear the stands. The intent was to bring the teams back out with the stands clear. But that decision was scrapped by the officials and the game was canceled. Those decisions are up to the host school. Unfortunately one bad actor on social media can ruin most anything with a foolish post."
Elmore County High School officials also issued a statement.
"It was not an easy decision, but the safety of everyone in our stadium is more important than the outcome. Thank you to all law enforcement for their support."
The suspended game will not be completed or made up.
"I want to thank our TCS administration, Tallassee Police Department, Elmore County Schools administration, Eclectic Police and Elmore County Sheriff's Office for their swift actions this evening," Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill said. "I echo Dr Nolin's statements that one bad actor can ruin one of our long-cherished traditions of Friday night football games. I hope there is quick resolution on the bad actors and we do not ever have to experience anything like this again. I hope all of our children are able to heal from this unfortunate event and may God bless us all."
Elmore County Commissioner Mack Daugherty also commented.
"Hundreds of families (especially children) were traumatized in a situation that probably most will remember for the rest of their lives," Daugherty said. "First let me express my sincere, heartfelt appreciation for all of the law enforcement officers and school officials that made the choice to err on the side of caution and safely protected and removed all of the crowd. You are all heroes.
"For the record, the making of a terroristic threat regarding a public gathering (to include a high school football game) is a Class C felony, punishable with up to 10 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine. So folks might want to think twice before planning what they might presume to be a "prank." I plan to lobby my legislators to consider a law that would increase the punishment even further. We must stand firm against those that would seek to disrupt public events and most especially school-related events while jeopardizing the safety of those involved in any regard. Those determined to be responsible for such threats must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law with no plea deals. Evil will not prevail."
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