Crime & Safety

Authorities Find Rumored Gun Threat at HHS Unfounded

Huntley High School principal says rumors not credible but the school will take precautionary measures anyway.

 

An investigation into rumors surrounding a gun threat at Huntley High School on Friday, Dec. 21 found they are not credible, but there will be an increased police presence at the school for the rest of the week as a precaution, school officials said Wednesday.

Principal Dave Johnson released a letter to parents Wednesday night explaining the rumors and the investigation. He wrote “there are non-credible rumors regarding a possible gun threat to Huntley High School on Friday of this week. In the aftermath of tragedies such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut last week, rumors and copycat threats tend to emerge.”

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Twenty-six people, including 20 children, were shot and killed at Sandy Hook on Friday, Dec. 14 in one of the country’s worse mass killings.

Other districts in the area have had similar rumors of violence on Friday, he said.

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Officials believe December 21 is a date being mentioned in various rumors due to the discussion in the media about the Mayan calendar ending on that date, Johnson wrote.

The Mayan calendar has been the focus of doomsday predictions because it ends on that date. The predictions, like the rumors at HHS, are unfounded.

Still, HHS and police are taking the rumors of violence seriously.

“While most often these rumors or threats do not pose any actual danger we do fully investigate and pursue these situations with our school resources officer,” Johnson said.

As a precautionary measure, the school will have increased police presence this week, he said.

“Our intent is not to heighten any anxiety. The opposite is true. I want to assure you that our normal school schedule will continue and we do not believe there is any danger,” Johnson said.

Friday is the last day of school before winter break.


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