An unfounded threat that a school shooting would be carried out Wednesday at an Indio middle school Wednesday was shared among students via social media, according to police and school district officials.
The threat circulated Tuesday referenced John Glenn Middle School. Indio Police Department and Desert Sands Unified School District officials say there was no viable threat to the campus, but noted there would be an increased law enforcement presence on the campus to reassure students and staff.
Police urged parents to discuss with their children the gravity of spreading rumors alleging violence at school campuses. DSUSD spokeswoman Mary Perry said students should be encouraged to pass along information to the appropriate authorities, but refrain from sharing unfounded rumors on social media.
Nonetheless, Indio police said the department investigates each and every alleged threat, and that any credible threats would immediately be brought to parents’ attention.
“Any incident that is reported to the Indio Police Department or to the Desert Sands Unified School District is taken seriously and both departments work together to thoroughly investigate the threat,” an Indio Police Department statement reads. “If we determine there to be any credible evidence to suggest an act of violence will take place, parents would immediately be notified as school safety is a priority.”
The past few months have seen false or rumored shooting or bomb threats at Coachella Valley schools in Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage and La Quinta, while a threat leveled at Imperial High School was mistakenly believed to target Indio High School.