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SOUTH JORDAN — A message found at South Jordan Middle School threatening a school shooting this week was determined not valid, but there is an increased police presence at the school this week nonetheless, officials say.
Rumors about the threat made their way to Herriman, and at least two school students "engaged in copy-cat behavior" there, according to police.
School officials found the threat on a bathroom stall of the boy's restroom at the South Jordan Middle School on Jan. 25, South Jordan police officials said in a news release. The threat referenced a school shooting that would take place on Thursday, police said.
The school resource officer investigated the threat, and as of Wednesday, police do not think the threat is valid; however, there has been an increased police presence at the school this week that will continue for the rest of the week, South Jordan police officials said.
Herriman police officials did not elaborate on what the "copy-cat behavior" was. However, the behavior aimed to close schools for the day led to serious consequences, Herriman police said in a Facebook post.
Anyone who hears a rumor of school violence is asked to contact the school or a local law enforcement agency, South Jordan police officials said in the news release.
Herriman police said the dissemination of the rumors on social media caused a "disruption" that forced police, school and community officials to devote time and effort to respond.
"While we certainly do and will continue to take any threat of violence seriously, we hope members of the public understand the level of unnecessary anxiety and fear that results when anyone takes to social media to express concern over unverified rumors," Herriman police said in the post.
