Series of Fake Active Shooter Calls Target South Carolina Schools

News Summary

South Carolina authorities are investigating numerous false active shooter calls across schools, including Greenville High. Governor McMaster condemned these hoaxes as serious criminal acts. Local police maintained heightened security while determining the credibility of the threats, suspected to have links to social media challenges. Alongside these incidents, there is a notable rise in overdoses from counterfeit pills in the state, escalating public health concerns. Both issues demonstrate a critical need for community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement.

Greenville, South Carolina – More than a dozen schools across South Carolina were targeted in a series of fake active shooter calls on Wednesday morning, prompting investigations by law enforcement. The Greenville Police Department reported receiving a false alarm regarding a shooting incident at Greenville High School, but after conducting a thorough examination of the premises, authorities confirmed that there was no active threat to students or staff.

A school resource officer stationed at Greenville High verified the absence of any shooting-related activity, allowing for a swift resolution to the situation. Despite the false alarm, heightened police presence was maintained on the Greenville High campus for the remainder of the school day to ensure the safety and reassurance of students and faculty.

Governor Henry McMaster condemned the hoax calls, labeling them as serious criminal acts. During a manufacturing event in Greenville, he expressed the importance of treating these threats with the utmost seriousness. In addition to Greenville High, similar fake calls were reported at Robert Anderson Middle School and Laurens High School. Investigations revealed that these schools also faced no real threats.

The response to the fake active shooter calls has been characterized by local officials as serious, underlining the necessity of safeguarding children in educational environments. In Greenwood School District 50, an automatic alert about a potential shooter prompted a swift police response, leading to immediate building clearance and assessment. Authorities are taking these incidents very seriously, with a focus on maintaining a safe atmosphere in schools.

Law enforcement agencies are working to establish whether the orchestrators of these false calls are based overseas. Investigators suspect involvement of a foreign voice in these hoaxes. Reports suggest that these incidents may be linked to an ongoing challenge circulating on the social media platform TikTok, which has reportedly been encouraging such disruptive behavior.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is actively evaluating the credibility of the threats and collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to address and investigate these swatting incidents. Officials are also aware of similar occurrences reported in other states, elevating concerns about the broader implications of such hoaxes.

Attorney General Alan Wilson expressed disgust over the false active shooter reports, indicating the legal ramifications that may follow for the perpetrators. Authorities are adamant that these actions will not be treated lightly, emphasizing a firm stance against any disruptions or endangerment of public safety.

In conjunction with these events, a troubling rise in fake blue pills laced with dangerous substances has also been reported by the South Carolina Opioid Emergency Response Team. This alarming trend has been associated with multiple overdoses across the state, particularly emphasizing counterfeit Roxicodone. Many of the overdoses have involved individuals unknowingly consuming pills obtained from friends or relatives.

Counties including Greenwood and Union have emerged as hotspots for these dangerous overdoses, raising significant public health concerns. Authorities are focused on addressing both the current increase in active shooter hoaxes and the disturbing trends linked to the opioid crisis in the state.

The combination of fake active shooter calls and the rise of counterfeit medication highlights the need for community vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement. As investigations continue, local authorities remain committed to ensuring the safety and security of all students and residents in South Carolina.

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Additional Resources

• WYFF 4: Free Opioid Overdose Kits in South Carolina
• Wikipedia: Opioid Overdose
• WYFF 4: Multi-State Crime Spree in NC and SC
• Google Search: Multi-State Crime Spree
• Index Journal: Lottery Ticket Fraud Charges in Greenwood County
• Google Scholar: Lottery Fraud
• ABC News 4: Overdoses from Blue Pills Alarm South Carolina Officials
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug Overdose
• WSPA: Man Arrested for Drug Trafficking in Greenwood County
• Google News: Drug Trafficking Greenwood