Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Addresses Social Media Rumors Following Middle School Homecoming Dance Incident

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has issued a formal statement addressing a wave of rumors circulating on social media following an incident at a local middle school’s homecoming dance over the weekend. What began as an evening of celebration for students and families quickly became the focus of online speculation, prompting the sheriff’s office to step forward to set the record straight and calm community concerns.

According to officials, the incident occurred during a homecoming dance held at a Paulding County middle school on Saturday night. Deputies and school staff were present at the event as part of standard safety protocols, and authorities confirmed that there was no active threat to students or faculty at any time. Despite this, various unverified posts began circulating across Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok, alleging everything from potential violence to arrests—claims that law enforcement has now firmly denied.

In a detailed press release issued Monday morning, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office clarified the situation and urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information.

“We are aware of numerous social media posts and videos spreading misinformation regarding an incident at a local middle school homecoming dance,” the statement read. “While deputies did respond to a disturbance, there was no weapon involved, no injuries reported, and no ongoing safety concerns. We strongly encourage residents to refrain from sharing unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic or distress.”

According to the sheriff’s office, the disturbance stemmed from a verbal altercation among a small group of students that escalated briefly before being quickly contained by school staff and deputies on site. No arrests were made, and all students were safely released to their parents or guardians by the end of the evening.

However, within hours of the dance, rumors began spreading online suggesting a much more serious situation, including false claims of a shooting and multiple detentions. The sheriff’s office said these posts gained traction rapidly, leading to a flood of calls from concerned parents and community members.

Captain Ashley Henson of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office emphasized the importance of fact-checking before sharing information online.

“We understand how frightening and emotional these situations can be for families,” Henson said. “But when misinformation spreads faster than the truth, it makes our job harder and puts undue stress on parents, students, and school staff. Please rely on verified statements from law enforcement or the school district before believing or sharing rumors.”

The Paulding County School District also released a statement in coordination with the sheriff’s office, confirming that the safety of students was never compromised and thanking law enforcement for their swift and professional response.

“We are grateful for the cooperation of the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and our school administrators,” the district’s statement read. “Our priority will always be the well-being of our students and staff. We encourage our community to trust official communication channels for accurate updates.”

Parents who attended the event echoed a mixture of relief and frustration, with many expressing gratitude for the sheriff’s office’s transparency while also criticizing the rapid spread of false information. “By the time I got home, my phone was blowing up with posts saying there was a shooting,” said one parent. “It was terrifying until the school confirmed everyone was fine. People really need to stop posting things they can’t verify.”

Authorities are reminding the public that spreading misinformation, even unintentionally, can have real-world consequences, such as unnecessary emergency responses and public panic. The sheriff’s office said it plans to continue monitoring social media activity and will correct false claims as needed to ensure the community stays informed with accurate details.

Despite the online uproar, both the sheriff’s office and the school district have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining strong security measures at school events. Future dances and extracurricular activities are expected to continue as planned, with additional officers present for reassurance.

In closing, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office reiterated its appreciation for the community’s cooperation and understanding:

“We thank everyone who reached out with concern and patience while we clarified the facts. Our shared goal is to keep Paulding County schools safe, and that starts with truth, communication, and community trust.”

The sheriff’s office has encouraged anyone with firsthand information about the incident to contact investigators directly instead of relying on social media discussions. Updates will continue to be posted on the official Paulding County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and website as the investigation concludes.

For now, officials stress that the incident was minor, contained, and resolved without injury, and they hope the community can move forward from the confusion with renewed focus on supporting students and fostering safety at school events.