Youth charged for threats of Windaroo Valley State High School shooting threats

Police have charged a youth who was allegedly responsible for sending students and staff at a Logan school a message threatening a school shooting, saying it was “no joke”.

General photograph at Windaroo Valley State High School, Thursday, November 21, 2019 (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Police have confirmed a youth has been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1999, for allegedly threatening a school shooting in Logan via social media.

On Tuesday staff and students at a Logan school were targeted with threats of a shooting, spread via mobile phone airdrop and social media site Snapchat.

The disturbing message said it was ‘no joke’.

It is understood on Monday night students, past students, parents and staff received a message threatening a shooting which would take place on Tuesday at 12.30pm at Windaroo Valley State High School.

Queensland Police investigations established that any threats made against the school were a false report.

Following investigations a youth has been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act 1999.

The responsible youth was offered, and accepted, ‘restorative justice conferencing’ by police.

Police have confirmed the investigation has been finalised.

Message air dropped to students and staff. Picture – Facebook.

Parents said despite the messages going out the night prior, they didn’t hear from the school until 9am Tuesday morning.

A large group of parents have confirmed they kept their children home from school after hearing nothing from the principal before drop off time. Exact attendance numbers for Tuesday are unknown.

“Even though the threat was false, many students and parents would have believed it was real and experienced genuine fear and anxiety,” Principal Tracey Hopper posted on the school’s Facebook.

“Wellbeing support is in place to support students.”

Despite the actions which were taken by the school and police, concerned parents have said they were appalled by the school’s lack of communication in the state of an emergency.

“I think the school should have acted on the message as soon as it was received, not at 9am that morning,” a mother said.

“My daughter was at home in fear and stressed worrying about her friends and family that have attended school today.

“It’s probably a hoax but whoever the sick oxygen thief is that would do this you’re a terrible person causing unnecessary stress on students and parents.”

Another parent said they also kept their daughter home following the threat.

“Pretty disappointed in the delay of communication from the school though,” they said.

“Even my son who has finished school heard about it last night.”

“The school was appalling in their lack of communication,” another mother said.

“It may just be a hoax but the fear is real,” another parent said.

Email sent to parents from Windaroo Valley State High School principal. Picture – contributed.

One parent even called out the school and asked for more support following the anxiety inducing ‘hoax’.

“I feel a lot of kids and maybe even parents may need ongoing support from this incident,” she said.

“I would hope that the school and Education Queensland provide this counselling free of charge.”

A Department of Education spokesman said the school acted quickly.

“Windaroo Valley State High School acted swiftly and in line with procedures to inform parents on Wednesday, October 18, after liaison with the Queensland Police Service for advice on managing the situation,” he said.

“No formal complaints regarding the management of the situation have been made to the school or regional office.

“Any parents with concerns are encouraged to contact QPS directly.”