Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SANDY — Classes were resuming as normal at three high schools Friday after school officials and police investigated a circulating rumor of a possible attack at Jordan and West Jordan high schools, and a separate incident at Hunter High School.
A rumor of a possible attack at Jordan High School, which was discovered by school and district officials Thursday night, was determined to be unfounded, said Wendy Dau, the school’s principal, in an email sent to parents and statement posted on the school’s website.
However, Sandy police conducted a precautionary search of the building before classes began Friday, and extra officers were patrolling outside of the campus and nearby neighborhoods.
Teachers were also on the lookout for “concerning behavior” in the hallways, and the Canyons School District’s security team was also called out for additional protection Friday, she added.
While classes were resuming as normal, parents were given the option to pull their students from classes, Canyons School District spokesman Jeff Haney said. He said attendance at the school was at about 50 percent Friday.
"There were a significant number of people who decided to keep their kids at home today," he said. "Like we said in our message to our community, we hoped that our actions calmed their fears about the security at the school, but we do understand that parents know what's best for their families."
The district is making counselors available for students who may be experiencing anxiety or fear regarding the rumors of an attack.
“We greatly appreciate the interest the community has shown in helping us maintain a safe and welcoming learning environment at Jordan High,” Dau said in the statement.
Social media posts have surfaced claiming that Jordan High School will be the target of a mass shooting or bombing today. Sandy Police have investigated the posts and do not believe that there is ANY credible threat to the school, staff or students. To err on the side ...
— Sandy Police (@Sandy_Police) January 26, 2018
... we have placed additional officers in and around the school. We are currently working with Canyons School District to identify the source of the unfounded social media posts. We understand public concern when any violent threats are made and appreciate your assistance...
— Sandy Police (@Sandy_Police) January 26, 2018
Other schools in the Salt Lake Valley were also dealing with rumors of threats that were also determined to be false.
A similar rumor of a threat at West Jordan High School was deemed false, said West Jordan Police Sgt. J.C. Holt.
"It was one of those things where one person said this, and it kind of spread like wildfire," he said.
Holt said extra police officers were patrolling near the high school Friday as a precaution, but the classes were resuming as normal.
He added there was no apparent connection between the Jordan High and West Jordan High threats, but said it's possible Jordan High School was mistaken for West Jordan High during the social media frenzy.
Hunter High School in West Valley City tweeted a precautionary shelter in place, which was lifted by the Granite School District after about 15 minutes Friday morning. The precaution was due to "information we received," school officials tweeted.
Granite School District spokesman Ben Horsley said police investigated information received but that information "turned out to not be credible."
He added that he did not know if that possible threat was in any way connected to other rumors swirling around schools in the valley and that classes at Hunter High School were continuing as normal Friday.
