TUALATIN, Ore. — Classes resumed Tuesday at Hazelbrook Middle School in Tualatin after a bomb threat prompted evacuations and closure of the school on Friday morning. Classes were canceled on Monday, though teachers and staff continued to work, school officials said.
On Friday morning, students and staff the school were evacuated due to a bomb threat to the school and the homes of staff, the superintendent and board members sparked by a video that went viral on social media, the Tigard-Tualatin School District reported.
The district told KGW that on Thursday night, they received multiple reports from Safe Oregon about "concerning threats towards individuals and our school." The district said that they and Tualatin police decided those threats weren't credible, but Friday morning they received an email with "direct and detailed threats to staff and the school."
The email contained bomb threats to the school, staff and the homes of the superintendent and board members, along with their personal addresses, Superintendent Sue Rieke-Smith said. The school began evacuating once they received the email.
The Tualatin Police Department said they were investigating the doxing of the superintendent and school board's information. Police were also consulting with the FBI.
Later on Monday, the school district sent out an email to Hazelbrook families, notifying them that classes would resume on Tuesday because law enforcement had determined that the threat was "not credible." They also acknowledged that the contents of the threatening message had been shared on Snapchat.
"We recognize that actually reading the details in the email may re-ignite fear and concern," the district said. "In lieu of reposting to social media, we ask that you share any concerns or evidence with the HMS admin, TTSD district administration, TPD, and/or SafeOregon. All postings, emails, and phone activity that communicate a threat or re-sharing of threats are being forwarded to and under investigation by the FBI per their direction. Out of an abundance of caution, we have planned for additional security, SRO, and adult presence."
Viral videos ignite controversy
The threat comes after a video went viral on social media last week showing an incident where a student is seen assaulting another student. The district believes the threat is connected to the video.
The video shows a student grabbing another classmate in the hallway by her backpack, then slamming her on the floor and hitting her repeatedly, then cursing at her and walking away. The student who was hit is seen getting up, and crying before saying, "I can't breathe."
The video was part of a social media challenge of taping fights or threats and posting them online for views, the superintendent said.
"We do not condone acts of violence, threats of violence, hate and bias actions, harassment and bullying," the district said.
The assault is now considered a criminal investigation and the attacker was arrested. Once police conclude their investigation, the district will determine how to proceed in disciplining the student.
The district also said the spreading of the video around the country was "inspiring false information and a focus and discourse on sexual identity."
Conservative activists claimed, without confirmation, the attacker was transgender based on the student's appearance and clothes.
"There is no connection there and this is the hate that we are dealing with now from groups across the nation and even here locally, and that has no place in our schools," said Reike-Smith.
The video was amplified when it was shared by Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer who has spoken out against inclusion of trans athletes in sports. As of Friday morning it had reached more than 10 million views on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Students and adults contributed to the sharing of this recording that exposed minors who were directly and indirectly involved without consent," the district said. "These acts have contributed to the trauma individuals and families are already experiencing."
Because everyone seen in the video are minors, the district said it would not provide more information to the public. "As minors, there are laws in place that protect their privacy," the district said.
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