Vague Social Media Threat Has Ohio Schools On Alert

CLEVELAND, OH — Several schools throughout Ohio are currently on high alert after a vague social media threat was directed at a school only identified by its initials, SHS. Solon High School, Shaker Heights High School and Strongsville Schools have all added extra security measures in response.

"For more than 24 hours, threads on social media in several states, including Ohio, began reposting a vague threat made against a school with the initials "SHS," the Solon Schools said in a message to families of the district.

The Solon Schools have already deemed the threat not-credible, but will still have an increased police presence at both the high school and other buildings throughout the district. Shaker Schools have said police are still investigating the threat and increased security will be placed at all buildings.

Strongsville Schools have said they are also aware of the threat and will have an increased police presence at school buildings throughout the week. Superintendent Cameron Ryba said there appears to be no credibility to the threat.

Fairborn High School, which is in the Dayton area, went on lockdown at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday. The lockdown was ended at 7:45 a.m. and the district said on Twitter the procedure was precautionary only. They did connect the precaution with the SHS threats, though.

Springfield Schools in southern Ohio have also said they are aware of the threat. That district deemed the post to be not-credible, but the district is still working with local police to investigate the incident. Several districts throughout the nation have said they believe the original threat was directed at Springfield, but there's no indication that Springfield police believe that to be true.

The threat has indeed startled districts throughout the nation. The Horry County Police in South Caroline said on social media they believe the SHS-threats are a hoax and that they did not originate in that area. However, that department did say that "appropriate agencies" are looking into the threat.

Similar postings were made by school districts in Alabama, Greenville South Carolina, and California, saying the threats are not believed to be credible.

Still, following the Valentine's Day attack on a Florida high school that left 17 people dead, there is an understandable tension among parents and students. Some high school students have taken to social media to express their fear of even going to school.

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