SLIDELL (WGNO) – A shooting threat at a North Shore high school has been ruled a prank.
That’s the word from Slidell Police investigators.
WGNO News Reporter Darian Trotter has more on the scare, and what’s next in the investigation.
The shooting threat at Salmen High School was determined by investigators to be nothing more than a prank.
Despite rumors of a hit list of cheerleaders, police say no students were ever in danger.
But that didn’t prevent wide-spread panic Tuesday morning when word first surfaced.
“You want your kids to be safe because it’s school and then something like this happens and you’re wondering what else is going to happen,” Salmen parent Angela Proyer said.
The treats were discovered on social media.
School administrators notified parents through automated phones calls.
“That’s when I got up and said, my kid is not going to stay in school, I’m going to go and get them,” Salmen parent Tracy Kube said.
When parents arrived they saw anxious students being released and a large police presence.
“Anytime there’s a threat made at any of the schools here in our area we have to take it seriously,” Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith said.
With permission from parents, we talked to students about the disruption.
“You know, stuff happens. Some people just get alone sometimes, and I guess they get mad at the world and they send out those death threats,” student Chase Williams said.
“I mean I’ve seen people all day on twitter and Instagram posting stuff like I’m glad I’m home, I’m safe now, and it’s crazy right now,” student Rick Bulot added.
Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith says officers made sure there was no active shooter, and no real threat to students.
He says because the threats were posted on Twitter, detectives are already tracking down those responsible.
“In two days it’s September 11th, the anniversary. So I don’t know if maybe somebody was playing a joke which is not funny, but in this instance this isn’t something to play around with,” Kube said.
The St. Tammany Parish School Board is encouraging students to return to school Wednesday.
Extra officers will be on hand to ensure students public safety.
