Social media threats target pair of Guam Department of Education schools

Students at two high schools sharing one campus are forced to stay home for the day.

This after the Guam Department of Education got multiple threats on social media targeting John F. Kennedy High School.

Officials made the call overnight to cancel classes Friday for JFK High and Simon Sanchez High students.

Guam police were also called to investigate.

Authorities are getting a similar call to Okkodo High School.

GDOE got word of yet another violent threat being made toward the Dededo campus.

Though officials confirmed the risk of the threat was low, one parent who wished to remain anonymous voiced frustration.

“So my child actually gave me a call and told me there was a threat to have been made during their pep rally. A shooting to be exact. They canceled the pep rally. She told me they were told to go back to their classes and the day will go as normal, no shelter in place, no information that was given until my daughter told me. Because the information was so vague I needed to call the school. Through multiple calls, I started to get through after ten times I attempted and finally I get answer and was told that it’s not a severe threat because it seemed the threat did not come from inside of the school and all they are doing are monitoring those that are coming inside the gate. My concern is what made them think that the threat was made inside the school if it was a social media threat as it’s being told. I am just really alarmed and concerned that it’s not taken seriously. Our children are our world. My daughter means everything to me. I am concerned there is no information to the public and no transparency made to the parents and students at the school,” they said. 

GDOE decided it was safe enough for the school day to continue Friday at the ome of the bulldogs.

Officials remind the community that anyone caught disrupting government functions could face federal charges.

While police investigate and work to track down their suspects, this parent hopes more is done to keep the students safe and the parents in the know.

“Why can’t DOE get involved and say JFK and Sanchez were shutdown because a threat was made last night. At Okkodo, the students were already in session when the threat was made. So what is going on? What is the difference between the high schools that the information was given and now we are seeking information. It doesn’t make sense,” a parent added. 

So far this year, 50 school shootings were reported nationwide.