Windaroo Valley State High School social media shooting threat

Staff and students at a Logan school have been targeted with threats of a shooting, spread via mobile phone airdrop and social media site Snapchat. The disturbing messages said it was ‘no joke’.

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

The principal of a southeast Queensland school at the centre of a shooting threat today has warned there would be consequences to any student involved in the incident.

Education Queensland has confirmed the shooting threat, made to staff and students at the Logan school via Snapchat and Airdrop, was a hoax.

The message had claimed a school shooting would happen at 12.30pm today.

“QPS advised that investigations have established that any threats were a false report,” an Education Queensland spokeswoman said.

“The school was open as normal today and the community has been informed.”

Several students from Windaroo Valley State High School said they received the message via mobile phone airdrop and on social media site Snapchat.

Police confirmed the threats and said they were patrolling the area.

Windaroo Valley State High School principal Tracey Hopper sent an email this morning informing parents police were investigating.

Ms Hopper posted to the school’s Facebook page this afternoon confirming nothing had actually happened.

“QPS has now confirmed that the threat message was a hoax and that the school is not under any kind of threat,” the principal said.

“Investigations are continuing and consequences will be applied to any students involved in the incident, in line with our Student Code of Conduct.”

The Education Queensland spokeswoman said like all Queensland state schools, Windaroo Valley State High School held the safety of its students and staff as its highest priority.

Windaroo Valley State High School shooting threatened with Snapchat and airdrop

“The department is aware that a threatening message has been circulating among students,” she said.

“The Queensland Police Service was immediately notified.

“Guidance Officer support is available at the school for any students who may require it.

“No other details can be provided due to the ongoing QPS investigation. Any parents with concerns are encouraged to contact QPS directly.”

One parent said she received the email around 9am.

The school also released a statement this morning regarding the incident.

“Please note that our school will be open as normal today,” they said.

“We have informed Queensland Police Service of the threat that has been circulating among students and they will assist the school if required.

“I want to reassure you that we treat the safety and welfare of your children, our students, as our highest priority at all times.

“Police are investigating and we will assist them in their inquiries.

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

Some parents said they would keep their children home even though they believed it was a hoax, while the school said it was open as normal.

Parents have taken to community Facebook groups to share the screenshots.

“Dear Windaroo Valley students and staff,” the anonymous threat said.

“You might take this as a joke but I am completely serious.

“At exactly 12.30 today me and a couple of friends and (sic) targeting your school for a school shooting and will not back out.

“See you tomorrow.”

Email sent to parents this morning from the principal. Picture – contributed.

One concerned parent shared the screenshot and said they believed it was false.

“It was air dropped, apparently,” they said.

“Pretty sure it’s a hoax as you can tell from the way it was written … why give a time?

“But without being alarmed by these idiots, we are keeping our kids home regardless as with the disruptions today they might as well stay home anyway.

“Police will have a presence as well, I heard.”

Other parents said their students received the screenshot via Snapchat.

Police have confirmed they were aware of the anonymous threat and that detectives were investigating.