Three Duchesne County students have been arrested as part of what police describe as a TikTok school violence trend. (Photo Spirit, Shutterstock)
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ROOSEVELT — Three students have been arrested in Roosevelt for allegedly participating in a TikTok trend last week that threatened violence at schools nationwide.
In Roosevelt, some students not only shared messages about school violence but also encouraged others to participate in “bring your gun to school day,” according to a prepared statement from Police Chief Mark Watkins.
Three students were arrested for investigation of making a terroristic threat. Police did not identify the students, only saying they were junior high students. All three encouraged other students to bring a gun to school, according to police.
Investigators determined, however, there was no imminent threat and no guns were taken to school.
Nevertheless, Watkins called the sharing of threats and encouraging of school violence a “senseless act.”
“The Roosevelt Police Department will have zero tolerance for such acts and will continue to monitor and aggressively follow up on posts or verbal comments made by individuals if they promote and or encourage this kind of behavior,” Watkins said.
Last week, school districts across Utah were on heightened alert due to a disturbing nationwide TikTok trend in which vague threats of violence were made on Friday.
In Salt Lake City, students were arrested at West High and East High schools for bringing a gun to school.
In the San Juan School District, students had a virtual learning day on Friday after threats were made and a device that district administrators described as a “nonfunctional” homemade explosive was found.
Students were also questioned at Riverview Junior High, Matheson Junior High and in the Box Elder District for allegedly making threats, according to school administrators.
Watkins encouraged all parents to “talk to their kids about this type of behavior and its consequences as well as, monitor their child’s texting and social media activities.”
“Our children deserve to have a safe, worry-free school environment,” the chief said.
In Roosevelt, Watkins said that if parents find concerning messages on their child’s social media accounts or on their phone and contact police before detectives are forced to launch an investigation, it will change the way officers deal with the situation.
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