Tiffin area schools taking heightened precautions due to TikTok threat ‘challenge’

Tiffin, Ohio — A new TikTok “challenge” has school districts throughout the country, including those in the Tiffin area, taking heightened precautions.

The “challenge,” which dubs Friday, December 17 as “National Shoot Up Your School Day”, encourages students to make threats of violence against their school.

“We have recently been made aware of a TikTok challenge being circulated over social media for Friday, December 17th,” a letter from Michael Zalar, superintendent of Tiffin City Schools, states. “Apparently, the challenge encourages students to make various kinds of threats of violence against local school districts.”

Zalar said Tiffin City Schools has not received any specific or credible threat against any of the district’s schools, but the district is working with the Tiffin Police Department to monitor the situation.

“We take all threats seriously, including those made on social media. Any student who is found to be engaged in this type of behavior will suffer the consequences — including potential school and criminal disciplinary action,” Zalar said.

The Fremont Police Department released a similar statement in coordination with Fremont City Schools.

“The Fremont Police Department and the Fremont City Schools take all threats towards our schools seriously and will act accordingly,” Fremont Police Chief Dean Bliss said. “The Fremont Police Department, Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol will have additional officers in and around our schools. The Fremont City Schools will also have additional staff in our schools to monitor the students.”