By staff reports
UPDATE MONDAY AROUND 3:15 P.M.: Dare County Sheriff's Office investigators found "no credible evidence" supporting Saturday's potential TikTok threats to Manteo schools, but as a precaution "will continue to have additional deputies patrolling our schools," according to an email from Dare County Schools.
"We understand how unsettling these videos are and want to reassure you that your child's safety and the safety of our staff remains our top priority. We will continue to handle any potential threat with the utmost seriousness and update you on any further developments."
NAGS HEAD — Manteo Elementary School, Manteo Middle School and Manteo High School appeared on a social media school threat list, different from the list that included no Dare County Schools on Friday, according to an email update Dare County Schools sent to families on Sunday at 8:15 p.m.
The school system learned of the list from a Saturday morning tip shared through its See Something, Say Something anonymous tip line, the email said.
Dare County Schools staff and the Dare County Sheriff's Office have been investigating and take all potential threats against schools seriously. Conversations with educational leaders across North Carolina have revealed that “social media school threats are being reported in districts statewide,” according to the district’s email.
“Law enforcement officials have identified multiple lists that are being shared and reshared on different social media platforms,” the email said. “One issue that has created some complications for law enforcement officials in tracking these posts, is when a post is shared and then reshared before being reported to officials.”
Investigators request that anyone seeing a potentially threatening social media post immediately report it to either the See Something, Say Something anonymous tip line or directly to law enforcement, the email said.
“If at all possible, provide officials with a screenshot of the post showing the entire screen and the original posting site or its URL address,” the email continued. “Sharing and resharing is exactly what these people are hoping you will do.”
Students should reach out to their school guidance staff or administrators with any safety concerns or questions, and the district’s anonymous See Something, Say Something tip line is always available, according to the email.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Dare County Sheriff’s Office at 252-475-5980 or the Dare County Communications Center at 252-473-3444.
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