Fresno, Madera Schools Face Shooting Threats as Social Media Trend Sparks Lockdowns

Local

By Anthony W. Haddad

Published 9 months ago on

September 17, 2024

Authorities in Fresno and Madera counties are increasing school security in response to a surge of social media threats, some of which have led to lockdowns and arrests across the United States. (GV Wire Composite/Paul Marshall)

Authorities in Fresno and Madera counties are increasing security around schools amid a wave of social media posts threatening campus shootings.
Threats have surfaced on popular platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram — apps widely used among younger audiences.
While some posts were intended as pranks, they have resulted in lockdowns and arrests across the United States.

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Authorities in Fresno and Madera counties are increasing security around schools amid a wave of social media posts threatening campus shootings. The Fresno Police Department and Madera County Sheriff’s Office have issued statements addressing the situation.

The Fresno Police Department announced it will heighten its uniformed presence around schools on Tuesday. In a social media post, the department said it’s collaborating closely with the Fresno Unified School District to ensure student safety.

Meanwhile, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office responded to a specific threat targeting Minarets High School. The school initiated a lockdown as a precaution, with law enforcement quickly arriving on-site, the sheriff’s office said Monday.

The Madera sheriff also noted a troubling nationwide social media trend in which threats against schools are being circulated. Despite the incident, authorities confirmed there is no current threat to students or staff related to the Sept. 13 event.

Viral Social Media Trend Sparks Panic

Threats have surfaced on popular platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram — apps widely used among younger audiences. While some posts were intended as pranks, they have resulted in lockdowns and arrests across the United States.

Threats have been reported in many areas across the U.S. including Northern California, Missouri, Arizona, and Nebraska.

A post on Fresno Reddit indicating a threat at a Fresno school on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. (Reddit)

In some cases, users have compiled lists of schools to target with false reports or threats. Others have taken screenshots of drafts that appear to show threats, edited out identifying information, and posted them to make it seem as though another individual made the threat.

Law enforcement agencies are continuing to monitor these trends and investigate the origins of the posts. Authorities urge anyone with information to report it to their local police departments.

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Anthony W. Haddad,

Multimedia Journalist

Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.