Putnam County school resource deputies arrested a teenager on Friday after he reportedly made a threat against Cookeville High School.

According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, the school resource deputies were notified of a threat allegedly made by a 17-year-old student.

“I have a gun, and I’m going to shoot up the school,” the student said, per a PCSO press release.

The PCSO said school resource deputies found the teenager and took him into custody. Authorities said he admitted to saying those words, but claimed they were a joke.

Officials said the teenager has since been taken to Putnam County Juvenile Detention and has been charged with making a threat of mass violence.

The school was not placed on lockdown, according to the PCSO.

“There is nothing that would be considered a joke when it comes to making threats of mass violence to our schools,” Putnam County Sheriff Eddie Farris said, per the press release. “We take every comment like this seriously and will respond quickly to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Anyone who makes a threat will be held accountable according to state law.”