A rumor of a school shooting at the Leander Independent School District (LISD) spread fear among students and parents on Friday.
Some social media posts seen by Honest Austin stated that a school shooting actually had taken place, while others cited the threat of a shooting.
But the district dismissed the rumors, writing in a statement, “An ongoing social media rumor threatening violence at an LISD campus today caused disruptions at multiple schools today, and variations of the rumor continue to spread.”
”We have been in constant contact with law enforcement and there is no threat to any campus and never was.”
Some parents went to collect their children from the schools. Cheryl, the parent of a Leander student said, “This was terrifying. My child texted to pick her up immediately. I don’t care if it was a rumor, my child is really shaken up.”
“I went to get both my children,” said another parent, Serenity. “I don’t care–real or not, it’s not funny to make this crap up.”
The Leander Police Department will conduct a criminal investigation into the source of the social media posts. Spreading rumors of a threat of violence can be a crime.
Chris Simpson, Principal of Leander High School, wrote in a letter to families, “I understand that the recent school shootings in Michigan and elsewhere have all of us on edge. Rumors can cause undue panic and are disruptive to a welcoming and productive learning environment.”
Simpson was referring to a shooting in Oxford, Michigan, in which four children were killed by a fellow student.
