South Carolina high school shooting hoax call was part of TikTok challenge, police say
Nobody was injured and there were no shots fired during the incident, but students were visibly shaken, the school’s superintendent said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Reports of shots being fired at a South Carolina high school were fake and part of a TikTok challenge, police have said.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded to Blythewood High School around 10.25am on Wednesday after receiving calls from an individual claiming there was an active shooter on school grounds, News19 reported. Authorities secured and canvassed the area but ultimately determined there was no threat.
Richland School District Two Superintendent Dr Baron Davis said the call was prompted by a TikTok challenge. Nobody was injured and there were no shots fired during the incident, but students were visibly shaken and were picked up by parents after the hoax, Mr Davis said.
“Even though it was fake, the emotions were real and the fear they felt was real,” Mr Dvais said at a press conference after the incident. “I’m heartbroken that people continue to take this as a joke and continue to put our students and our employees in harm’s way for whatever reason.”
Law enforcement plans to prepare for potential additional hoax calls made in the near future, Sheriff Leon Lott said.
The school released a statement following the ordeal.
“This morning law enforcement responded to a call from an unknown caller that shots had been fired on the Blythewood High School campus. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department responded immediately,” it read. “The school was placed on lockdown while law enforcement searched the building. RCSD has determined the call was one of three hoax calls made to South Carolina schools this morning. There is no evidence of any gunfire or injuries at the school.”
In recent days, several schools across the country have been placed on “soft” lockdowns after threats of shootings have been made on TikTok, raising alarm about the growing trend. On Tuesday, a 16-year-old posted on TikTok that he was going to shoot a school in an Alaska school district, KBBI reported.
KXLY also reports that in Sandpoint, Idaho, a student was criminally charged after he made similar threats earlier this week on the social media platform.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments