Falmouth Schools, Police Monitor TikTok 'Gun Violence' Challenge

FALMOUTH, MA — Police and school officials in Falmouth are aware of a TikTok challenge that's sparking concern in districts across the country. The trend reportedly encourages students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17.

Superintendent Lori Duerr said that the district reached out to Falmouth police after becoming aware of the situation. No specific threats were made about Falmouth schools, she said.

"Chief Dunne has increased police presence in our schools today as a precautionary measure," Duerr said.

Some districts say they have been "inundated" with questions about the social media school violence rumors and have responded in letters to parents and public statements in the days leading up to Friday.

While it's unclear where the 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."

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

In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok.

Patch editors Megan VerHelst and Alex Newman contributed to this report.