Text Message 'Shootout' Threat Disrupts Georgia High School on Friday the 13th

School Officials Treating it as Friday the 13th Hoax, but Some Take Message Seriously

CBS Atlanta reported Thursday night that a text message, which warned of a shootout at school on Friday, March 13, was making the rounds among Redan High School students The text, which also circulated on the Web, read: "Get yo bulletproof vest out, 'cause on Friday da 13th at Redan high, it's a SHOOTOUT."

Parents are taking the text message seriously, as are many of the students. Many decided to stay home from school. One parent, who wish to remain anonymous, said: "Redan High School and DeKalb County Public Schools officials were aware of the text message and told CBS Atlanta that they do not believe the text is credible but they were taking it seriously enough to monitor the situation. They did not, however, find the text message credible enough to cancel classes at Redan High School, which is in Stone Mountain, Georgia. They are considering it a Friday the 13^th hoax but took the added precaution of adding another security officer to the one Redan already has on duty."

DeKalb County Police had not been notified of the text message threat until CBS Atlanta contacted them for information.

Although this may actually be a case of some student or prankster attempting to disrupt the school day at Redan High School, it carries with it serious consequences. Texting a message of a shootout constitutes a threat to the safety of other individuals and can be prosecuted as a terrorist threat. According to the website of Inhofe & Associates, CriminalAttorney.com, terrorist threats usually involve the evacuation of public places of assembly. These would include methods of public transportation, buildings, stadiums, airplanes, and schools. And the penalty for making such threats can be extensive. A person could face charges that might lead to imprisonment, loss of Constitutional rights (to vote or to own a firearm), parole or probation, fines, and other measures.