Schools close, bolster police presence nationwide following online shooting and bomb threats

School shooting and bomb threats have been circulating on social media - and, although many officials say the threats are not credible, districts are increasing police presence and some are even closing on Friday. 

The threat is being posed as a "challenge" that originated on TikTok, a short-form video social media platform. The company responded to the threats on Twitter: "We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok."

Baltimore County Public Schools said: "Law enforcement agencies have investigated this threat and determined that it originated in Arizona and is not credible." 

The threat targeted all U.S. schools, designating Dec. 17 as "national school shooting and bomb threat day," according to Albany school district in New York.  

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, D, attempted to soothe concerns Thursday on Twitter. "While there are no known specific threats against New Jersey schools, the safety of our children is our highest priority and we will work closely with law enforcement to monitor the situation and remain prepared," he wrote. 

Non-active shooter incidents have hit a record high of 235 – more than double from 2020 and 2019 which both saw 112 incidents. In 2021, nine active shooter incidents have occured, which ties the year for second place with 2001 for the most incidents. 2018 was the worst year with 11 active shooter incidents.

Many schools have asked local law enforcement to patrol their buildings throughout Friday. For example, Crosby-Ironton School District in Minnesota posted on Facebook: "Based on the fact that there is only the possibility of a threat and not an actual threat at this time, there will be school tomorrow. However, as an extra precautionary measure, local law enforcement will be patrolling around our two school buildings throughout the school day. If parents do not feel comfortable sending their child to school tomorrow, please contact the attendance secretary and your child will be excused."

Parents in Sarasota, Florida, received an email stating that the school is aware of the threats and "on the lookout for suspicious or concerning activity" in the area.

Other schools are unwilling to take a chance of a shooting and are closing completely.

In New York, the 500-student Eldred Central School District is closed tomorrow. Superintendent John Morgano posted on Facebook he had a meeting with law enforcement on Thursday. "While it was confirmed that this is a 'low level' threat, as I said above, I cannot take chances with your child’s safety," he wrote. 

The 230-student Hays Lodgepole Schools in Montana is also closed tomorrow despite not having received any direct threats. 

Schools are also closed in Minnesota, New Jersey and Michigan, the latter of which experienced a horrific school shooting last month.

Tooele County School District in Utah, police believe students made the threats in order to get out of class, Newsweek reports.