Twitter User Threatened Shooting At Aberdeen High School: Police

ABERDEEN, MD — A school shooting threat is under investigation at Aberdeen High School on Thursday, the second social media scare reported there this week. Police presence has been increased at the school.

The latest threat came through Twitter, according to the Aberdeen Police Department.

At 12:14 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1, the school resource officer at Aberdeen High School "was alerted to a tweet on Twitter about a shooting that was going to occur on today's date at the school," police said in a statement.

Immediately, police responded to areas in and around the high school on Paradise Road.

School officials used phone and email to alert parents, some of whom picked up their children from school, police said. Otherwise, classes were dismissing according to the usual schedule.

Officers are investigating leads and hope to identify the person responsible, the police department reported at 3:30 p.m.

Police said that an increased law enforcement presence will be at the school on Friday, Feb. 2, as well.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Aberdeen Police Department at 410-272-2121 or the Aberdeen High School Resource Officer at 410-273-5500.

SEE ALSO: Bathroom Stall Threat At Aberdeen High School Investigated By Police

This is the second threat made against Aberdeen High School this week.

The first case was reported Tuesday afternoon and concerned a message on a bathroom wall at the school, which was photographed and posted to social media.

The Aberdeen Police Department shared the following information from Aberdeen High School Principal Mike O'Brien at 2 p.m. on Thursday regarding the Twitter threat:

"In an effort to keep you informed, we just became aware of a threat against the school that apparently had been made on a Twitter account approximately five hours ago. We are currently working with the Department of Safety and Security and the Aberdeen Police Department to find out where this threat originated. While we are investigating this threat, we have increased the police presence and our administrative presence as a precaution.

"School safety is our utmost priority and the members of the administrative team and security staff will continue to be vigilant in maintaining the safety of Aberdeen High School. Please know that we take all reports and threats seriously and will continue to work cooperatively with public safety and other agencies to ensure the safety of our students and staff. Please assist us in managing any rumors by talking with your child about responsible social media use, as rumors originate and perpetuate in that forum and can cause undue stress on the school community. The misuse of social media may result in school discipline and serious legal consequences. Under no circumstances will HCPS tolerate anyone creating a climate of fear for our students, families, and staff. Together we can help keep our schools a safe and comfortable learning environment for our students."

Image via Aberdeen High School.