The week of Sept. 16 was haunted by school shooting threats throughout the United States. According to NBC News, over 54 threat tips were reported in Florida in one week alone.The sheriff of Volusia County, Florida threatened parents with releasing images of their children if the kids do not stop making fake threats as a joke in an attempt to curb the issue. Just two days later, the sheriff’s office released a video of an 11-year-old boy handcuffed and ankle-shackled after being arrested for threats against his school. Many high schools in northern Indiana received knowledge of weaponized threats on Monday Sept. 16, 2024. Goshen, Northwood, Washington and John Adams High Schools were among them. Due to the threats, administration at Adams was prompted to bring in higher security to ensure that students and staff would be safe. Throughout the week of Sept. 16, there was an increased police presence and metal detectors were installed.
Hardly any Adams students showed up to school on Sept. 16 because they were fearful for their safety. Most classes were over half empty and those who did proceed to school were on edge. Many of the threats involved the possibility of pulling the fire alarm to acquire many students in one area at once. The fear of this possibility was exemplified when the fire alarm went off at Adams on Tuesday Sept. 17, 2024. Students and teachers alike were hesitant to leave their classrooms, but all eventually made their way out. Principal Jim Seitz made a prioritized effort to announce to all students and staff that the evacuations were due to a microwave catching on fire. The fire department promptly arrived on the scene and gave students and staff the okay to return to their classrooms.
Not much is known about the origin of the threats but, we do know that the person who targeted the local schools has been arrested. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now involved due to the recent uptick in weaponized school threats and they are working to make the American school system safer.
Although throughout the whole ordeal, many students were terrified. “It was very unsettling how empty and quiet [the school] was, and I felt a lot of anxiety at the start of the day,” said John Adams junior Kaelyn McClements.
The students of America go to school scared for their lives and are expected to be satisfied with the lack of government regulations and be mentally sound. The Adams administration has provided resources for its students to use if they are affected by the gun threats. In addition, the metal detectors that were installed are now permanent.
