My daughter came home from her Catholic high school today and said that there is a rumour that there will be a shooting at the school tomorrow. Tomorrow is Halloween and the students were allowed to wear costumes instead of uniforms and they were going to have a Halloween dance. Students of all grades were excited about it; they even decorated their lockers so it is doubtful that this possible event comes from within. Because of this the students have to wear their uniforms so they can be identified as actual students tomorrow.
I called the police station in the area and they confirmed that they have received several calls on this incident and that the principal has also called the police. The police were at the school today.
Bottom line: I am NOT sending my daughter to school tomorrow. There is no way I am going to spend my day worrying about her, or have her worrying about what may happen.
Pray that this is a hoax and that nothing will come of it. Thanks.
[question posted by patgalca]
responses and comments:
If this is a hoax... then it is a very cruel hoax... but then we can never be too careful on this matter since a lot of shooting in schools from all over the world already happened... I just wish that people won't be too irresponsible in making such a joke just to laugh about it afterwards... Things like this can really put us parents under a lot of stress... [aseretdd]
A bomb threat was called into the court house in town a couple of weeks ago. The building was evacuated and although the building was deemed clear, everyone was sent home for the day. They ID'd the caller through voice identification and have arrested a woman. No reason was given as to why she did it. [patgalca]
Oh my goodness! I don't blame you one little bit for keeping your daughter away from the school tomorrow. I hope and pray that this is a Halloween Hoax by some kid to get tomorrow off school... just somebody playing a prank, but it does have to be taken very seriously when warnings are received like this. All too many times, it happens. You have my prayers for the other kids in the school, and your daughter's friends. Brightest Blessings and do have a Happy Halloween. x [Darkwing]
No, you could be right but then, one of them might be holding a grudge for some reason. However, as I said, it's not to be taken lightly, and I think you're doing the right thing keeping your daughter home. I would too. Was it a bomb threat, or a shooting threat? I know there are quite a few cases of mass shootings in schools... they happen here, as well, and usually carried out by a male who has had an unhappy uprbringing or school life. Not that I condone it... it's tragic. Brightest Blessings. [Darkwing]
Oh my! Let's hope it is nothing more than a hoax. You are doing the right thing keeping your daughter home Hallowe'en. Better safe than sorry. If nothing else, it'll keep your anxiety at bay. [BarBaraPrz]
I wouldn't doubt it's a hoax. I don't understand how there a those that find humor in literally scaring others. Fear and scaring on Halloween is a lot of fun but the fear should be in safe environments. Not for your actually life. Please people out there and stop being stupid. You are hurting everyone by preying on the fear of others. [Kegleneq]
To add there were threats of one kind or another. One place it was to little girls trying to not go to school for halloween. Do they realize the severity or was it a nonserious form of fun. What happens now? [Kegleneq]
It is sad to hear that things have gotten so bad in schools. A school were I live actually just found a hit list made by three high school students today. The teens said it was just a joke, but rightfully it was taken seriously. In all honesty I probably would not send my child to school either. I could never live with myself if something were to happen. I hope that it is a hoax and things are worked out at the school, so that the children don't have to fear being there. [tlb0822]
It is a crazy world we live in. Nowadays even schools can become potentially dangerous places for children, when they should be getting a proper education there amidst a safe environment. The threat of terrorism nowadays, and occasional spates of random shooting by berserk people out for vengeance strike fear in peoples' hearts. And with Halloween being celebrated, people with evil intentions can use this occasion to strike at innocent people in the guise of a Halloween prank. I think you have made a prudent decision to keep your daughter out of harm's way by staying away from school for a day. Your fears about this rumour becoming true might be unfounded, but then, no one can tell and you certainly don't want your daughter to be endangered if such an incident really happens. I hope it really is a hoax, otherwise innocent people will be hurt or killed, and that will be a tragedy. [lexus54]
Oh my gosh I wouldn't be sending my kids either if that was the case at their school.I am surprised that even a rumor is going around most of the time there is no warning I hope they cancatch whoever whats to do this. So the kids can be safe after halloween as well. [StrawberryKisses]
Geesh I would have gone home too. That's pretty bad that kids have to feel scared at school. You are supposed to feels safe going to school. Things in the world are getting ridiculous nowadays. [StrawberryKisses]
There was a shooting threat at a school about 20 miles away from me it was wrote on the wall there would be a shooting at the school on Monday a 15 year old has been charged with terroistic threats because of it. It is scary but what really scares me is ok you keep your daughter home the day of the threat but what about all of the other days maybe someone will write they are going to do something on a certain day but do it a different day that is what scares the living daylights out of me. It is a terrible when we can't feel safe sending our kids to school anymore! [hip2bemom]
That is what worries me, that it will happen on another day. The police station is on the same street as the school - a block away, which should be of some comfort. I will continually worry about my daughter going to school. I just hope this was a hoax after all. [patgalca]
Oh my dear, yes indeed I will Pray that all is well in your daughters school today. It is so sad that our society has come to this. The fear that we all feel at even the hint of such an occurence when so many shootings have occured. I can and do understand your wanting to keep your child home and I am sure others have done the same. This may have been someones doing that did not agree with the idea of Halloween being observed in the school being it is Catholic. It is a shame that fear can be so easily used to manipulate others to what we want. I pray all is well with you and yours this day! [tess1960]
They should try to catch the one who started the rumor whether it is true or not because it will continue until the students no longer consider it a real threat and stop reporting these threats. [lotterylover]
I'm so sorry that you have to feel this pain. If it makes you feel any better at all...in no way would I send my kids to school with a rumor like that roaming around. People plays these kinds of pranks all the time and it seems as the the punishment is becomming more severe. Thats GREAT of course. But don't these kids realize that this is bad. You just cannot run around making these kinds of threats...whether it be real or not. Society no longer takes well to them. you are in our thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how everything is [boppiedog]
I don't blame you at all for wanting to keep your children home, I wouldn't hesitate either. Rumor or no rumor I wouldn't risk it. That is sad that things like this happen and it makes you wonder what is going on with some of these kids that do these kind of acts, or stir rumors to scare others. [maddysmommy]