LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – The Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office is urging the community to refrain from spreading misinformation following reports of alleged threats of violence at a local school.
This information, circulated primarily through social media, was initially posted days earlier in other states and is unrelated to the district.
Officials emphasize that sharing these unverified threats can cause unnecessary panic among students and parents.
They encourage individuals to report any potential threats directly to authorities rather than reposting or sharing them.
The statement from the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office is as follows:
“We have been made aware (thank you to several students and parents who contacted their SRO) of alleged threats of violence that are to occur at a local Lauderdale County school. This information is being disseminated through social media. Several people in our area have taken screenshots or have reposted this information that is NOT accurate. We are asking that you stop spreading misinformation. Upon investigation, it was discovered these threats were originally
posted days earlier in other states, unrelated to our district. Unfortunately, by reposting or sharing these threats, our students are unintentionally spreading panic and misinformation. Below are the appropriate steps to take if you discover a potential threat to one of our schools.
How to Report a Threat on Social Media:
• DO NOT repost the threat on your page.
• DO NOT screenshot the threat and send it to your friends.
• Report the threat directly on the social media platform:
o TikTok: Go to the video, tap the Share button, or press and hold the video, then tap Report, select a reason, and tap Submit.
o Facebook: Tap the three dots in the top right of the post, select “Find support or
report post,” choose the appropriate option, and submit the report to Facebook.
o Instagram: Tap above the post, tap Report, and follow the on-screen steps.
o Snapchat: Press and hold on the Snap, then tap Report Snap, or report a Story by
holding the Story tile and tapping Report Tile. 
If you believe a threat is connected to the a Lauderdale County school, report it immediately to your campus
School Resource Officer (SRO), a campus administrator, or East MS Crime Stoppers tip line 855-485-8477.
WARNING:
Students – there can be serious consequences for reposting, sharing, or sending screenshots of a threat from an unknown social media account, if it causes panic in a Lauderdale County school it may result in serious consequences. You may be charged with making a terroristic threat
(see Parent-Student Handbook) and subject to appropriate school discipline.
Adults – Under Mississippi law (§ 97-7-75 of the Mississippi Code), a person commits a terroristic threat if they:
• Threaten to cause bodily harm to another person.
• Threaten to commit a violent crime.
• Intend to influence the actions of a government, school, or any other organization.
• Intend to intimidate or coerce a population or segment of the population.
Please handle these situations with care and responsibility to help maintain the safety and security of our schools. We appreciate your cooperation.”
SOURCE: Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office Facebook
