‘Operation Annihilation’ Facebook Page Not a Threat, School District Says

When police received a tip last week that a student had created a Facebook page for an on-campus meeting titled ‘Operation Annihilation,’ they were understandably concerned.

But a district spokesperson said Monday that the police investigation determined the Oct. 28 posting did not represent a threat to students.

“All hail fascism and totalitarianism. I will lead you to the promised land,” read the Facebook event page created by an unnamed 17-year-old senior, before inviting students to attend an after-school meeting that same day.

Sheriff’s deputies working for the school district contacted the student’s father, who removed the post.

“In talking to the student, he said he did not mean to hurt or scare anyone,” said district spokesperson Elizabeth Graswich. The meeting never took place, she said, and the student did not explain why he had created the posting.

That didn’t stop rumors from flying at school and on the internet about a ‘hit list’ of Cosumnes Oaks students. The confusion caused Cosumnes Oaks principal Patrick McDougall to send out this email to parents Monday:

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The purpose of this letter is to address a rumor that I’ve learned is circulating about a posting on a Facebook page by one of our students. I would like to share with you our investigation so that you have accurate information.

On October 28, 2011, the school was notified that a COHS student had posted an invitation to a meeting entitled “Operation Annihilation.” The posting did not reference any other student or the school, other than as a meeting location. Upon learning of the posting, school administration immediately contacted the student’s parents and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department who conducted a thorough investigation. The investigation determined that the threat was not credible. In addition, we provided our teachers with a letter to read to our students, sorting out the fact from rumor. Today, I was informed that inaccurate rumors regarding this incident are circulating, and felt that it was important to provide you with the correct information.

I would encourage you to take some time to talk with your students about the importance of navigating the Internet safely, effectively and ethically. Our school district has a robust Internet Safety program which includes social networking. If you would like to find out more about how you can help your student stay safe on the Internet, including tip sheets on Facebook and social networking visit http://www.egusd.net/students_parents/isafety.cfm. In addition, please know that our school was selected last summer to pilot Internet Safety high school curriculum in our advocacy classes this school year.

In EGUSD we say that if “you see something, or know something, say something.” The safety of our students is a top priority at Cosumnes Oaks High School. Please contact me at the school if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Patrick McDougall, Principal

Cosumnes Oaks High School

Graswich said the student was exercising his Constitutional right to free speech and will not be disciplined for the posting. The school district occasionally receives information about online and in-person threats to students, she said.

"Every time, we take immediate action to investigate the threat," she said.