‘Swatting’ aimed at Chapel Hill high schools

SMITH COUNTY — A threat directed at a Chapel Hill school in Texas has been deemed a “swatting” incident and is under investigation as officials take extra precautions on Monday. According to our news partner KETK, a shooting threat directed at “Chapel Hill High” in Texas made through a dormant TikTok account on Sunday has been found to be a swatting incident by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). A swatting incident is a hoax threat or call made to incite a large emergency response.

There are two Chapel Hill schools in East Texas — one in Smith County and one in Titus County. The TikTok did not specify which one it was addressing, but both schools took extra precautions on Monday morning. According to Chapel Hill ISD’s (Titus County) Superintendent Daniel Pritchett, the school received information on Sunday night of a TikTok livestream that threatened to carry out an active shooting at a “Chapel Hill High” in Texas.

The school district worked with DPS and the Titus County Sheriff’s Office and found the threat not credible, as it came from an “abandoned” TikTok account. The district is still providing a heightened sense of security as a precaution on Monday. In Smith County, a constable’s office addressed the threat in a Facebook post on Sunday night and provided extra security on campuses on Monday morning.

Josh Joplin, the Smith County precinct 4 constable, said Chapel Hill ISD (Smith County) is investigating the incident with the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.

“Similar threats have happened across the state in other districts this year and the credibility of this threat is unconfirmed,” Joplin said on Sunday night. “As you all know, Precinct 4 doesn’t take threats to our community or our schools lightly, and should one present itself, it will be met with force.”

The school district put out a statement on Monday morning and said the threat “has not been substantiated and is believed to be a hoax.” Additional officers are present on campus out of an abundance of caution, the district said.

“The district will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed,” the school district said. “The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.”