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Unfounded School Shooting Threats Spread Nationwide, Including Vicksburg
VICKSBURG, MS. – A rash of school shooting rumors, believed to begin on Snapchat or TikTok have been spreading online across the country this week, with all of the threats proving unfounded. In most cases these are junior high school students, 6th to 8th graders. In only one case, weapons were found in a home in Bexar County, Texas.
While the threats have been repeatedly proven unfounded, they have caused genuine fear and concern. Threats have been reported in Alabama, Florida, Texas, North Carolina, California, Tennessee, Kansas, and Vicksburg.
The Vicksburg Warren School District issued a press release, Thursday, September 12, 2024, on an apparent threat made against Warren Central Junior High School with the rumor claiming to threaten schools on Friday. The Vicksburg Daily News has been able to verify that proper authorities and officials were notified of the threat and that based on their investigation, the threat is not considered viable.
In some of the other cases across the country, arrests have been made. Some as young as 11 have been charged with making threats, but repeatedly the threats have been unfounded. Those charges vary by state, with the 11-year-old in North Carolina being charged with multiple counts of Communicating Threats of Mass Violence on Educational Property. Other state’s charges are Felony False Report, Intimidating Written/Electronic Threat of Mass Shooting, and in Texas: making terroristic threats.
In a post made to the Vicksburg Police Department Facebook page, Vicksburg Police Chief said the following:
To the Citizens of Vicksburg:
Chief Penny Jones- Vicksburg Police Department
Yesterday, a false social media post was circulated, suggesting there would be a school shooting in our community. This is the similar fabricated post that was shared last year. Our agency has thoroughly investigated the source and determined that the post originated from a newly created Instagram account, which was quickly deleted after the misinformation spread.
While any potential threat must be treated with the utmost seriousness, I want to assure our parents and community that the Vicksburg Police Department has taken every measure to ensure the safety of our children. Officers are stationed throughout the city’s schools today and will continue to be present for an extended period of time, ensuring a safe environment for all students, faculty, and staff.
We ask that everyone remain calm but vigilant, and please avoid spreading unverified information. The safety of our children is our top priority, and we will continue to provide protection and monitor all potential threats closely.
Thank you for your trust and cooperation.
VDN has reached out to Vicksburg-Warren School District twice for a comment but no response was given at this time.
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