Notes making “a possible general threat against children” were posted in at least two Juneau locations Friday and are being investigated, according to the Juneau Police Department.
Pictures of a note reportedly posted at the State Office Building depicting a transgender flag, a rifle and a reference to shooting children were detailed at several social and traditional media sites during the day, but JPD declined to confirm if the photo circulating depicts one of the notes being investigated. The posting coincides with the International Transgender Day of Visibility.
The note in the picture appears to invoke a shooting rampage this week at Nashville elementary school that killed six people, with Nashville police stating the shooter was transgender. JPD, without referring to that incident, stated in an announcement about the notes found locally that extra police were at local schools Friday due to “national rallies/attention to recent school violence incidents.”
“The Juneau School District and JPD are working closely while this investigation is underway,” the police statement notes.
School district superintendent Bridget Weiss, in an email response to questions from the Empire, stated there were no incidents reported at schools today related to the notes or nationwide events.
The first note found at a business in the 600 block of Willoughby Avenue was reported to JPD at about 6:45 a.m., according to a statement issued by the department during the afternoon.
“JPD responded to the business and began investigating the threat,” the statement notes. “Although the note did not relay a specific threat, JPD notified the Juneau School District about the issue.”
A second report to JPD occurred at about 12:15 p.m. when a note was found on a bulletin board in the State Office Building. The note was given to building security who contacted police.
“It’s very early in the investigation, so we can’t confirm or deny the content of the note,” Lt. Krag Campbell stated in an email Friday evening. “Also, we won’t know what the intent of the note is until we’re able to identify and interview whoever left it.”
The school district republished the JPD notice at its website and contacted parents by email to notify them about the incident.
Anyone with information about the notes can contact JPD at (907) 586-0600, or submit anonymous tips at www.Juneaucrimeline.com.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com
