Message to Families Regarding Unsubstantiated Threat Circulating on Social Media

September 20, 2024

Kahok Families,

Earlier this week, a nonspecific threat of violence began trending on social media throughout the Metro East causing several schools to go on lockdown. The post has been investigated by numerous local law enforcement agencies who determined it is not credible.  

A student in our district saw the post last night and did the right thing.  They forwarded it to school administration who shared it with the Collinsville Police Department.  CPD investigated and concluded it was not a threat to the Collinsville community.  

Unfortunately, threats of school violence on social media are happening more and more across  the country.  Authorities see an increase in these posts following events like the September 4 tragedy at Apalachee High School in Georgia.  This is disturbing and unsettling to all of us, especially when emotions are running high after a violent incident has occurred.  

Please know our district takes EVERY potential threat seriously and works closely with local law enforcement. Our best asset is having students, parents, staff and community members who speak-up and share information with administration and law enforcement.  

Earlier this week, the FBI field office in Springfield distributed a news release about the consequences of making a hoax threat against schools.  Issuing such a threat through email, social media or text is a crime. The FBI is using the hashtag #thinkbeforeyoupost as reminder that actions that might seem like a harmless prank have serious consequences. 

We commend the student who made the decision to share what they saw with the school, rather than sharing it on social media and contributing to the spread of the information. We ask everyone who sees something to make the same choice. 

I’ve attached our district’s list of law enforcement contact numbers and resources for helping children deal with reports of school violence.  We have to work together to protect our students from harm and support their emotional health.   

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your child’s principal or school resource officer.