School threats on the rise just weeks into the new academic year

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

School districts in Mid-Missouri have been plagued by threats just weeks into the new school year.

From Sept. 12-20, there were seven school threats reported publicly, with three of those threats being in the Southern Boone School District, resulting in three juveniles being arrested for making a terroristic threat. Classes were canceled on Sept. 13 in Ashland due to the threats.

A threat was also made on social media to the Columbia Public School District on Sept. 12 but was found not credible.

The Blair Oaks R-2 School District also dealt with a threat on Sept. 17 and the campus was placed on a "soft lockdown" while law enforcement identified the alleged suspect.

An alleged threat was also made toward the Marshall Public School District and Macon R-1 School District on Sept. 17.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol Courage2Report activity summary, during the 2023-2024 school year, the hotline received 1,268 tips, with bullying being the most reported with 232 tips.

Threats to kill were the second most reported tip during that period with 170 reported tips, with school shooting threats being the third most reported tip at 111.

Since the start of 2024 and as of Thursday, there have been at least 50 school shootings in the U.S. with 37 taking place on K-12 school campuses and 13 happening on college campuses, according to data collected by CNN from reports by the Gun Violence Archive, Education Week and Everytown for Gun Safety.

The latest mass school shooting was at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Sept. 4 just outside of Atlanta. The shooting left two students and two teachers dead while another nine others were injured.

The trend of school threats has parents, students and teachers on edge.

According to a report by the American Psychological Association, in 2023, 32% of parents of children in K-12 schools said they were "extremely worried" about a shooting at their children's school.

To report a tip of a school threat you can call Courage2Report Missouri, or submit your tip online or through their mobile app.

Law enforcement advises those who see a threat on social media not to share the post and to report it to law enforcement so they can investigate.

Check back Thursday to hear parents talk about their experiences living with school threats.