TikTok School Gun Threat Has NJ Schools, Law Enforcement On Alert

NEW JERSEY — A nationwide "challenge" on the social media app Tik Tok warning of the potential for school violence on Friday has prompted school districts across New Jersey to take precautions.

The New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness and the state Department of Education's Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning alerted New Jersey districts to the Dec. 17 challenge, and several notified parents, students and staff while also taking steps to increase security.

Multiple law enforcement agencies say they are monitoring reports of the challenge, which has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday.

The threat is a generic one to schools across the country, officials in several districts said as they tried to reassure families that students and staff will be safe.

In Paramus, Superintendent Sean Adams said there will be an increased police presence Friday.

The Toms River Regional School District sent an email saying no Toms River district schools had been specifically threatened.

"We are nevertheless in communication with the Toms River Police Department" and the police departments in the district three sending towns, Beachwood, Pine Beach and South Toms River, the email said. "Please know that although this particular social media warning is generic and deemed not credible, we will continue to closely monitor any and every situation in the interest of safety and security."

Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said his department has a highly visible presence at all Westfield schools from drop-off through pick-up times and will on Friday.

"The Westfield Police Department is always monitoring communications provided by the New Jersey Regional Operations Intelligence Center and other law enforcement fusion centers," he said. "Nevertheless, we must always remain vigilant at all times."

In Gloucester Township, the Black Horse Pike Regional School District said there will be an increased police presence at the district's three high schools on Friday as a result of the challenge.

"We are observing an increase in the number of students who are threatening staff members or making school violence threats," Superintendent Brian Repici said in a letter to the school community on Thursday. "We will continue to take these extremely seriously and will work with our law enforcement partners to address these immediately. This type of behavior will result in school disciplinary consequences and adjudication in the criminal courts.

The Tik Tok challenge comes on the heels of the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and the Michigan school shooting on Nov. 30 that killed four students and injured several others.

It also comes after two weeks of threats and rumors against New Jersey schools, including some that involved firearms. Read more: 11 NJ School Threats, Some Involving Guns, In Past 2 Weeks

It's unclear where the December rumor originated, a news release issued by the Tooele County School District in Utah said the original threat started as a way for students to skip school, but "morphed into something much more disturbing."

According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform.

Read more: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert

In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok.

RELATED: TikTok 'Devious Licks Challenge' Pushes Schools To Brink

"We are asking all parents, guardians, and caregivers to speak with the children in your care and remind them that threats are serious and have serious consequences. If anyone has information about threats, please say something to the school or law enforcement immediately," said Repici, the Black Horse Pike superintendent, a message echoed by many school districts.

Anyone who has any information about potential threats can make a report any time of the day to New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Protection's CTWatch at 866-4SAFENJ (866-472-3365) or tips@njohsp.gov.

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