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17th December 2021
11:15am GMT

"We handle even rumoured threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok," the company said in a statement posted to Twitter.
The Winona Police Department in Minnesota wrote: "We have been made aware of a challenge circulating in recent days on TikTok to threaten gun violence in schools on Friday, Dec. 17. There have been no specific threats made against any Winona schools, but we want to be proactive in preventing someone from committing a serious crime.
"If anyone participates in this challenge they could be facing felony crimes and possible expulsion from school. This is not something we will take lightly."
North Port Police in Florida wrote that it takes "all threats, joking or not, seriously" and would have "additional resources" at schools in the area today.
https://twitter.com/NorthPortPolice/status/1471626449455042561?s=20
The Naugatuck Police Department in Connecticut also said they would increase police presence at schools.
"Due to an uptick in unrelated threats at schools in the region, the Naugatuck Police will be increasing our presence and patrols at Borough Schools in the coming days," they wrote.
"While there has been NO threat against Naugatuck Schools, students, or staff, the public can anticipate our presence to increase the community's sense of safety during the coming school days."
The viral claims come less than three weeks after a school shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan, in which four students were killed.
The accused gunman, 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley, has been charged as an adult with multiple crimes, including terrorism causing death and four counts of first-degree murder.
He has pleaded not guilty.