MOLINE, Ill. — School districts across the country have amped up security Friday, Dec. 17 after learning of vague nationwide threats that allegedly originated on TikTok and declared Friday, Dec. 17 as "American School Shooting Day."
In a statement on Twitter, TikTok said it was working with law enforcement to investigate the rumored threats.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a tweet Thursday, Dec. 16 that it had no information indicating specific, credible threats to schools but recommended communities stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
Iowa Department of Public Safety released a statement on Dec. 16 that said it was aware of the rumored threats, and Iowa's Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center was working with law enforcement partners to assess and analyze any threats targeting Iowa schools.
“At this time, we are not seeing any specific or credible threats towards any schools in Iowa, but we are continuing to diligently monitor the situation,” Assistant Director of the Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center Pat Waymire said.
Iowa DPS encouraged parents and guardians to talk with their students about how to appropriately use social media while also explaining the seriousness and consequences of making any kind of threat.
Muscatine School District issued a statement on Dec. 16 that said the district is aware of the threats made on social media outlets like TikTok, and it was working with Muscatine Police Department to investigate any possible local connections with the posts.
Muscatine police said there had been no credible threats to any schools in the district as of Thursday night.
On the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, the Galesburg Police Department said Thursday it had no information about credible threats to Galesburg area schools or students, but it would increase the presence of officers at schools Friday out of caution.
Rock Island-Milan School District Superintendent Dr. Reginald Lawrence also released a statement on Dec. 16 that said the district had shared the information with Rock Island and Milan police departments.
"At this time, law enforcement has not seen any evidence that would deem these threats as credible," Lawrence said. "However, out of an abundance of caution, our district will be in continual contact with law enforcement (Dec. 17)."
Lawrence echoed Iowa DPS, encouraging parents and guardians to discuss the severity of these threats with students.
Anyone who sees something suspicious was asked to contact local law enforcement. Learn more about how to report suspicious activity here.