There was no intention to threaten Poplar Bluff Junior High, according to school officials who released a statement Wednesday regarding an incident on Snapchat.
An alleged threat had reportedly advised students to stay home.
“Poplar Bluff Police Department officials were notified and conducted a threat assessment,” Superintendent Dr. Aaron Cornman said in a statement to parents. “Authorities have notified the district that the post was made in an effort to ‘warn friends’ in relation to the recent shooting in a neighborhood in Doniphan that caused their school district to go into lockdown protocols and take precautionary measures.”
Cornman said the district greatly appreciates the quick response of Poplar Bluff law enforcement officials and applauds their efforts to work with the district.
“The Poplar Bluff School District wishes to stress the importance of appropriate social media behavior, and we ask that parents take this opportunity to discuss with their child(ren) that same sentiment,” Cornman said.
Students who engage in this type of rhetoric face both discipline through the school district and possible prosecution.
Missouri State Highway Patrol had also informed Poplar Bluff schools Wednesday that alleged threats of school violence were circulating through social media platforms across the country and state, with no credibility.
Twin Rivers dealt with an incident Tuesday similar to the national situation, when an anonymous and cryptic post was made through Facebook and TikTok regarding the Fisk campus.
The district responded with increased law enforcement presence Wednesday.
An incident Monday at Doniphan schools was not directly related to the district. A non-fatal shooting occurred in a neighborhood near the Doniphan campus. As a precaution, the campus was put on lockdown for about 20 minutes.
Anyone with information is encouraged to report it to local law enforcement through the Courage2Report School Violence Hotline. The hotline can be reached through the Missouri State Highway Patrol website, by toll-free text at 738477, or by calling 1-866-748-7047.
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