SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, Feb. 13, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — South Jordan Middle School will have an increased police presence for the remainder of the week after a threat referencing a Valentine’s Day shooting was found in a bathroom stall.
On Jan. 25, the South Jordan Police Department officials received information that a threat referencing a shooting occurring on Feb. 14 was found in a stall in the boys restroom at the school, at 10245 S. 2700 West, according to a news release from officials.
“Since that time, the School Resource Officer assigned to the school has been investigating the incident and at this time we believe the threat is not valid; however, we take any threat to commit violence seriously and have had an increased police presence at the school this week and will for the remainder of the week,” the news release said.
There has been no valid information received that this threat has occurred anywhere other than South Jordan Middle School, the statement said.
“We would like to encourage the public if you hear a rumor like this to contact the school or your local law enforcement agency to ask questions rather than posting to social media, as this creates unnecessary fear and panic in the community,” the news release said.
A threat of terrorism (UCA 76-5-107.3) in Utah that involves the threat to commit any offense involving bodily injury, death, or substantial property damage can be charged as a class B misdemeanor up to a second-degree felony, depending on the circumstances.
Thursday marks the first anniversary of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen students and staff members were gunned down last Valentine’s Day. Another 17 people were injured. The alleged Parkland shooter, a former student, is awaiting trial, and the state’s attorney in Broward County, Fla., has indicated he is seeking the death penalty.
