Red Bank man arrested for terroristic threats against courts building

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office says they have arrested a man who made terroristic threats against the county courts building.

The HCSO arrested Tyler Jordan Spence, 31, and charged him with commission of act or terrorism and retaliation for past action. Both of those charges are felonies.

The sheriff’s office learned about the threats on Monday, February 5 around 1:30 p.m.

They say Spence called the Hamilton County Courts Building and was angry that he could not directly contact a judge. The court clerk said the angry caller threatened to “come to the court’s building and commit a mass shooting of law enforcement,” the sheriff’s office said.

Authorities then enacted additional safety measures to ensure the courthouse, its employees and the public were safe.

HCSO investigators immediately began working to identify the caller, who they identified as Spence.

The sheriff’s office obtained arrest warrants and a search warrant for Spence.

Several law enforcement officers, including S.W.A.T., conducted the search warrant at Spence’s home in Red Bank. They arrested him without incident.

“The HCSO takes all threats against our citizens, law enforcement, and our public servants seriously. We will not tolerate individuals making terroristic threats against the safety and operation of our public buildings, especially our schools and courthouses. HCSO deputies work diligently each day to ensure the safety of all our citizens across Hamilton County,” stated Sheriff Austin Garrett.

Spence is in custody at the Hamilton County Jail, but the investigation is ongoing.