Fort Worth

Nationwide social media threat puts North Texas schools on alert

By Diane Smith

February 22, 2018 10:35 AM

Mary Claire Foley, center left, 16, embraces Ariana Skafidas, 16, students at Henry B. Plant High School at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa, Fla., Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, as they raise their lights during a vigil to honor victims of the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Mary Claire Foley, center left, 16, embraces Ariana Skafidas, 16, students at Henry B. Plant High School at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa, Fla., Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, as they raise their lights during a vigil to honor victims of the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Tampa Bay Times
Mary Claire Foley, center left, 16, embraces Ariana Skafidas, 16, students at Henry B. Plant High School at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa, Fla., Monday, Feb. 19, 2018, as they raise their lights during a vigil to honor victims of the recent shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Tampa Bay Times
Fort Worth

A social media threat known as "SHS" prompted school districts across the country, including Fort Worth and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw schools, to be on alert.

"A social media post threatening a non-specific school is spreading across the nation this morning," read a message sent by Fort Worth schools to parents via text and email. Many communities believe it is their school. Fort Worth ISD and local police are aware of this post and do not believe it to be credible. Police are in place at our schools as they are everyday."

Clint Bond, spokesman for Fort Worth schools, said the school learned about a threat in connection with a campus known only as "SHS" yesterday after parents starting calling. The issue put Fort Worth schools on alert because South Hills High School and Southwest High School have that acronym.

Authorities around the country were investigating.

Fort Worth police Sgt. Daniel Segura said police are aware of the message being disseminated.

"We continue to stay alert and we are responding to all calls of service," Segura said.

Fort Worth's message to parents was also posted on social media.

Bond said the Fort Worth ISD soon learned that other districts were concerned, including Eagle Mountain-Saginaw schools.

Megan Overman, spokeswoman for Eagle Mountain-Saginaw schools, said they notified Saginaw police as soon as they heard of the threat. The district includes Saginaw High School, which also has an "SHS" acronym.

"We requested additional police presence on campus this morning as a precaution. We have since learned that the threat is spreading nationwide and we do not believe it is targeted at Saginaw HS or any EMS ISD school," Overman said in an email. "We are sending a short notice to parents and staff making them aware of the situation and our proactive response."

Diane Smith, 817-390-7675, @dianesmith1

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