Rock Hill students could face discipline after ‘multiple rumors’ of violence spread
After rumors spread Wednesday about threats to South Pointe High School, Saluda Trail Middle School was placed on a preventative lockdown and some students could face discipline, the Rock Hill school district said
Saluda Trail Middle is adjacent to South Pointe.
A statement from the Rock Hill school district says “a few” students from Northwestern High School are thought to be involved in the rumors and are expected to be disciplined.
An initial threat involving South Pointe High was posted to social media, but was later found to not be credible, said Mychal Frost, spokesperson for Rock Hill schools.
Frost declined to share details about the nature of the threat.
The Herald’s news partner, WSOC-TV, reported that South Pointe parents received automated phone calls informing them of a false threat of a shooting. The station reported the Saluda Trail lockdown happened around mid-day.
The school district posted this statement to Twitter Wednesday afternoon:
“At this time, we can safely say that all campuses are safe and there is no credible threat to any location.
There have been multiple rumors rampant today. Initial threats were to South Pointe High School. Law enforcement and school administrators have tracked down leads and are working to discipline students involved.”
The statement continues: “As it commonly happens with rumors, the facts and original message have grown into tall tales and have now made their way to Rock Hill High.”
Frost said multiple rumors spread as students and adults shared false information through text messages and other means as district officials and local law enforcement were investigating.
The district asks that residents not feed into rumors.
“Please reassure students that they are welcomed and encouraged to share information with any adult in the school so it can be investigated.”
Amanda Harris: 803-329-4082
This story was originally published September 20, 2017 at 3:40 PM with the headline "Rock Hill students could face discipline after ‘multiple rumors’ of violence spread."