A threat about a school shooting that is circulating nationally on social media “is being shared between local Juneau students and causing concern,” but is not believed to be credible, according to a message sent to local parents by the Juneau School District on Sunday night.
However, the district and Juneau Police Department are investigating the reports, and “there will be increased police presence at Thunder Mountain Middle School tomorrow morning,” according to the message.
“Reports are vague, but the threat involves pulling the fire alarm and then shooting outside the school,” the message states. “It is not attributed to a local student nor is it known to be directed at anyone specific.”
Similar reports have been occurring across the country in recent days. Other school districts and police elsewhere have responded with policies that include prohibiting backpacks and the arrest of a student who was circulating such threats.
Other such threats to multiple schools involving districts in Alaska and elsewhere have occurred, including a series of bomb threats last fall that at one point resulted in the brief evacuation of Harborview Elementary School.
The message by the school district on Sunday night states “it is believed that this is a general threat about a school shooting that originated outside of Juneau, but is being shared between local Juneau students and causing concern. Some reported posts mention Thunder Mountain Middle School; others do not mention a specific school.”
“We want to assure you that we take these matters seriously and we appreciate when our students, parents and staff members bring this type of information to our attention and report to JPD,” the message states. “Student safety is always our number one concern.”
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
