Central Bucks Responds To Tik Tok School Shooting Threats

Doylestown PA

16 December, 2021

3:05 PM

Description

DOYLESTOWN, PA — As school districts across the nation respond to online threats of gun violence, Central Bucks School District has confirmed there are currently no credible threats to the safety of area students. Videos posted to the social media platform Tik Tok apparently threatened gun violence in schools on Friday, in a "challenge" that some reports say initially began with urging students to skip school Dec. 17. The vague shooting threats prompted concern nationwide. Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh advised families and staff Thursday afternoon that Pennsylvania State Police had reached out to the school to keep them updated on the situation. "We have been advised that there are no known credible threats to any Central Bucks schools, or any school in Pennsylvania," he wrote in an email to the community. Lucabaugh also reminded community members of steps they can take if they have reason to be concerned about possible violence. "We take all threats of violence seriously and urge everyone to report any information about school-related violence to a trusted adult, a school administrator, local law enforcement (call 911), or through the Safe2Say app," Lucabaugh wrote. In the nearby borough of Newtown, police chief James Sabath confirmed that there have been no credible threats in our area, but that law enforcement will continue to monitor the situation. In New Hope, police chief Michael Cummings said his officers will be extra vigilant on their walkthroughs Friday. Lucabaugh urged parents to use this as an opportunity to speak with kids about social media usage and the grave repercussions of posting threats or challenges like this online. "As we experienced just a few short weeks ago when threats were made at Central Bucks High School South, incidents of this nature divert critical community resources, and are deeply disruptive to the instructional environment; additionally, they harm the emotional well-being of our students, faculty, and staff," he wrote. Learn more about the national response to these threats: TikTok Challenge Sparks December Violence Rumors At U.S. Schools Get more Central Bucks and Doylestown news straight to your inbox when you subscribe to Patch.