School Shooting Challenge On TikTok Prompts Howard County Schools Official To Speak Out

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Posts circulating on the social media app TikTok suggesting that school shootings will take place nationally on Friday as part of a new "challenge" has prompted Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano to ask parents for their help.

The Howard County Police Department is aware of the TikTok challenge and as of Thursday afternoon noted there are no credible threats to the school district.

"Please stress to your children that the choices they make now can carry long-standing consequences that will impact plans for college, career and other goals," Martirano said. "Even hoax threats create fear and cause disruption to the school community. All students must understand that the behaviors encouraged by these challenges are not just morally and ethically wrong, but violate the law and the HCPSS Student Code of Conduct and will have serious results. HCPSS does not tolerate threats of any kind and will pursue disciplinary actions and legal consequences, as appropriate."

WBFF reports authorities said the original TikTok challenge was for students to skip school on Dec. 17. At some point, the challenge was changed to a school shooting threat.