Neshoba Central terror hoax raises bullying concern
No credible evidence of a viable terror threat to Neshoba Central schools was uncovered after a Sunday night social media hoax was investigated by local and state authorities, Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark said Wednesday.
Reports had claimed there would be a shooting at “central” on Monday, some parents said. A recorded message sent to parents Sunday night apparently said state and local agencies were aware of the post and investigating.
Clark did say some bullying at Neshoba Central may have come to light as a result of their investigation.
The Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation found no credible evidence of viable threats to local schools.
Clark said his office was notified of potential threats being made at Neshoba Central High School on social media around 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24. Clark said the potential threats were shared through Snapchat.
Clark released a screenshot that said:
Hey. We have English and geometry together
I’ve seen the posts and I’m tired of getting bullied. People calling me “musty REDACTED” and REDACTED Tomorrow form 9-10 I plan on killing all the people who have bullied me. Don’t come to school tomorrow.
All the kids from Neshoba Central
SPACE
The picture includes the words “wild dude” in the middle and letters “q” and “w” at the bottom.
Neshoba Central School District Superintendent Dr. Lundy Brantley told the Democrat Wednesday that school officials were made aware of the threats the same evening.
“On Sunday evening Oct. 24, the NCSD was notified of a social media threat,” Brantley said. “The NCSD immediately called our SRO and the Sheriff's Department along with the MBI. The Sheriff's Department and the MBI handled the situation and determined that it had no credible evidence to sustain a liable threat. The account was created falsely.”
Clark said that they interviewed several juveniles and parents and received permission to search several devices such as cell phones and computers.
“The Sheriff’s Office and MBI stayed up all night interviewing people,” Clark said. “We exhausted all efforts to ensure there was no viable threat.”
Although no credible threats to the school were identified, Clark said some bullying may have come to light.
Brantley said they have received “no reports of bullying of the student.”
The law enforcement presence at Neshoba Central was increased Monday and according to social media posts, several students did not show up for classes on Monday and might have faced disciplinary action.
On Sunday night at 8:08 p.m., the school district posted a note to parents and guardians that said:
“The NCSD is aware of the latest social media post. Local and state agencies have handled the situation. #onecommunity #onemission #oneneshoba”
Earlier, at 5:05 p.m. the district had posted about the threat:
The NCSD is aware of a social media post that has circulated about a threat to "Central." This has been investigated and is NOT the NCSD. The NCSD always prioritizes the safety of our staff and students.
#onecommunity #onemission #oneneshoba
Clark said investigators did identify a similar phenomenon in other states, specifically Missouri, where threats were circulated about a “Central High School.”