Two juveniles were detained in Athens Thursday night after a report of gunshots south of Trinity Valley Community College, according to an Athens Police Department press release. Investigation showed there was no gunfire, however.
According to the press release:
At approximately 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 27, the Athens Police Department received a report from a resident in the 100 block of Penny Lane of possible gunshots being fired at his residence. The caller stated that two windows were broken in his home immediately following two loud noises which sounded like gunshots. The caller also reported that he saw two young, white males running from the location and into an adjacent wooded area.
Several officers responded to the scene and began searching the area. Due to the seriousness of the report and the close proximity of the college, TVCC officials locked-down the campus as a precaution while the search was being conducted.
A short time later, officers located and detained two juveniles who matched the description given by the homeowner. The subsequent investigation revealed that the two juveniles were responsible for the damage to the home; however, no firearm was used in the commission of the offense. Evidence and information gathered at the scene indicated that the windows were broken with golf clubs that the juveniles are believed to have stolen from another nearby residence.
Once it was determined that gunfire did not play a part in the offense and that the juvenile suspects had been detained, college officials were notified and promptly reopened the campus.
It is believed that the two juveniles are also responsible for several other similar offenses in the same neighborhood. The investigation into this offense, as well as the additional offenses, is ongoing and has been turned over to the Criminal Investigation Division.