Wilmington Schools Monitoring TikTok Dec. 17 Shooting Challenge

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Public Schools officials are "closely monitoring" reports of a TikTok challenge that has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17, but they "do not believe the threat is credible," Superintendent Glenn Brand said in a letter to the school community Thursday.

"The post appears to be part of a national TikTok trend and did not originate in our school district," Brand said. "We have heard reports from other districts that the same post is circulating in their schools. While we do not believe the threat to be credible, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously."

Districts across the country are guarding against the reported challenge, which Brand said refers to "every school in the USA, even elementary." Some police departments, like in Andover, are planning to patrol schools Friday.

"The district has been in contact with the Wilmington Police department regarding the post and I know that we have their support and partnership in contending with anything that may arise," Brand said.

The superintendent warned against sharing posts like the TikTok challenge online.

"This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats," Brand wrote. "Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. I ask families to monitor their children’s social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online along with the possible consequences associated with posting certain things on social media."

But any threats made by Wilmington students will be taken seriously, he said.

"I also want to ensure that our students and families understand that any student of WPS responsible for making a threat to the safety and security towards any of our schools, or whose actions cause a disturbance to a school setting, will be held responsible to the fullest extent possible," Brand wrote. "If you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify a school staff member or trusted adult right away."

Many school officials have been on particularly high alert since four students were killed in a mass shooting at a Michigan high school Nov. 30, with at least one Massachusetts district increasing security in response.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.