2 St. Paul charter schools closed Thursday amid online rumors of violence

Two St. Paul charter schools canceled classes Thursday amid rumors circulating on social media of threats of violence. 

St. Paul Police posted on social media Thursday that a juvenile suspect is in custody who admitted to posting threats online. They say the suspect did not have the means or the intention to carry out attacks.

“There is no ongoing threat at this time, but we don't know if this is the only person sharing these disturbing messages,” the department wrote in the post.

Hope Community Academy and the Community School of Excellence canceled classes for the day. A third charter school, Hmong College Prep Academy, is open for the day, but said in an announcement on social media that there would be an extra police presence on campus Thursday as a precaution. 

St. Paul Public Schools, which is separate from the charter schools, said in an email sent to families Wednesday night that while it takes “every alleged threat seriously,” district leaders “do not believe that this threat is credible, and there is currently no danger to any SPPS campus.”

St. Paul Police Department spokesperson Mike Ernster said officers are taking precautions, though police also believe the threats are not credible.

“Our officers are aware of where the schools are located in their districts and will be providing a presence around the areas of the schools today,” Ernster said.

The posts, circulating primarily on TikTok and Snapchat, appear to be copied from posts originating outside the area, according to school officials, who say they are working with law enforcement to investigate. 

Roseville Area Schools also said some campuses received threats. Schools are still open, with police patrols at three schools. According to an announcement from the district, local law enforcement does not believe those threats are credible.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting in the investigation statewide. Spokesperson Jill Oliveira said investigators are tracking social media posts and informing local police when they find threats within their school districts.

“While surges in false threats often occur following real incidents of school violence and social media ‘challenges,’ no threat of violence to our schools can be discounted as a hoax,” Oliveira said. “And, hoax or not, they can create real fear for families.”

Several schools nationwide have responded to similar social media rumors over the last few days, following the shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia.

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