TikTok Challenge Threatening Schools Has Village Police On Alert

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park police said they are aware of reports of a nationwide TikTok challenge which encourages students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17.

Public safety officials said that while no schools within the village have received "credible" threats, they will station police officers at each building for the entirety of the day.

While it's unclear where the December rumor originated, a news release issued by the Tooele County School District in Utah said the original threat started as a way for students to skip school, but "morphed into something much more disturbing."

Towns across the south suburbs have also responded to the challenge, assuring students and parents they will be vigilant Friday. The possibility of threats comes on the heels of multiple bomb threats sent via text message to students in Naperville, Oak Lawn, Palos Hills, Palos Heights and Tinley Park last month.

RELATED: More Bomb Threat Texts Sent To Oak Lawn And Palos Students

"Although the Village of Tinley Park has not received any credible threats, public safety is taking precautions as a response to a post on Tik Tok," Tinley Park police wrote in a statement. "The post is calling for school shootings and bombings throughout the nation on Friday, December 17, 2021. As a result, the Tinley Park Police Department will have officers stationed at all schools in the village throughout the day."

Many school districts have asked students to immediately report specific threats or suspicious behavior, online and in person, to local police or teachers. School administrators have also asked students to refrain from sharing or re-posting threats to their social media.

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