Schools: We Believe Shooting Threat A Hoax

    Lake County Schools officials on Monday said there was no evidence that a school shooting was imminent, despite a social media posting that intoned such a threat may exist.
    Parents of students in the school system received emails on Monday letting them know of the situation, and that it isn’t believed there was any credible threat to a Lake County school.
    “A photo circulated on Snapchat among students in Lake and neighboring counties. Law enforcement investigated and found no evidence to suggest the photo was in any way related to any of our schools," said Sherri Owens, Communications Coordinator for Lake County Schools.
    The complete text of the email, which described the situation, is printed here: Lake County Schools Parents:
    "This weekend, we became aware of a photo that was circulating among students in Lake County on Snapchat showing a message scribbled on a bathroom wall threatening a shooting. Understandably, this raised concerns. But when law enforcement investigated, they found no evidence to suggest the photo is in any way connected with any of our schools. We have since learned the photo has gone viral and is circulating among students in neighboring counties, as well.
    “Parents, please talk to your children about the information they choose to share on social media. If they have safety concerns, the best way to report those is to tell an adult on campus, contact law enforcement directly, or report their concerns anonymously through the SpeakOut tip line at 800-423-TIPS.
    “Thank you for working with us to keep our campuses safe.”