TikTok Dec. 17 Challenge Has Police, AZ Schools On High Alert

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — School districts and law enforcement agencies in the Valley say they are monitoring reports of a TikTok challenge that has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17.

While it's unclear where the December rumor originated, Nancy Norman, a spokeswoman for the Scottsdale Unified School District, said that it may have been meant as a way for students to skip school on Friday, which is the last day before winter break for many students.

Law enforcement agencies and school districts in the Valley agreed that there did not seem to be any credible threats to local schools, but Norman said that there may be an increased law enforcement presence on Scottsdale Unified campuses on Friday, as a precaution.

Phoenix Police investigative units were in contact with schools across the city, according to a news release, and said they would investigate any threats if they surface.

Both Scottsdale Unified and Tempe Union High School districts sent letters to parents Thursday, informing them of the challenge.

Students at Tempe High School were released early Tuesday because of a threat made via social media that resulted in a heavy police presence on campus that day, but Megan Sterling, spokeswoman for the Tempe district, said that as far as she knew the threat at Tempe High earlier this week was unrelated to the December challenge.

"We are working closely with Tempe PD to monitor these threats, and review and investigate appropriate leads," said Tempe Union Superintendent Kevin J. Mendivil in a letter to parents sent Thursday. "At this time, there do not appear to be any credible threats to any of our schools. However, we continue to monitor that situation closely and police presence on campus will be elevated if appropriate. Tempe PD will continue to investigate any reports received."

Phoenix Union High School officials said they were aware of the challenge, but its students don't have classes on Friday as it's the first day of the district's winter break.

According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform.

"We encourage everyone in our community to contact the police if they see or hear something suspicious," said Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Williams in the news release. "We also urge parents to take this time to speak to their children about the seriousness and resulting consequences of making a threat, and the appropriate use of social media."