Rumors Of School Violence Started By Students

Johnston County school officials said students started rumors of school violence on Friday. Public Information Officer Crystal Roberts said there were no credible threats. Activities at Smithfield Selma High went on as usual. Friday marked the eighth anniversary of the Columbine school shooting, and the Virginia governor declared Friday as a day of mourning for the victims at Virginia Tech. With so much talk of school shootings, Johnston County school officials said a number of rumors were circulated between students Friday morning of violence on local school campuses. Crystal Roberts, Public Information Officer for Johnston County Schools (JCS), said parents had been calling their children’s schools all day, but there were no credible threats. Students apparently got the rumors started by text messaging one another, Roberts said. Some parents chose to pick their children up from school early on Friday. At Clayton High School , Principal Jerry Smith elected to call in additional officers to stand by on campus.