A Mortimer Jordan High School senior was arrested Wednesday morning and charged with making a terrorist threat.

Mark Anthony Woodruff, 18, of Morris, was arrested early Wednesday morning at his home after he was allegedly overheard on the school bus Tuesday threatening to bring a gun to school and shoot other students.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy who is assigned to the school as a resource officer was notified and conducted an investigation that led to Woodruff’s arrest.

Woodruff was booked into the Jefferson County Jail, where he was released on Wednesday after posting $15,000 bond.

Students reportedly told parents that Bryan Elementary and Mortimer Jordan were placed on a “soft” lockdown on Wednesday, but a call from the principal at Bryan said the school was not on lockdown during the day. While there was confusion about whether or not the school was officially placed on lockdown, Jefferson County School Board President Dean Taylor said that all necessary precautions were taken Wednesday and are continuing to be implemented to ensure the best possible protection for all students involved.

“Our staff in those schools acted quickly and took all needed precautions to protect the students in their care,” Taylor said. “I am extremely grateful for the quick response of our staff in quickly, efficiently and appropriately responding to the potential threat. The safety of our students at each of those locations is the top priority for everyone.”

Taylor also said he was glad to see the staff’s training on dealing with a safety concern was followed, resulting in an uneventful outcome for the students, teachers and staff.