A threatening hoax about shooting up a local school is making the rounds on social media.
The original hoax first started in Virginia, but now a copycat is using a similar meme in Northeast Ohio. It shows a picture of guns with the caption: "Don't go to school tomorrow @Osborn. Loaded up bout to head out."
Osborne was misspelled, but referred to Osborne Elementary School in Sandusky.
Sandusky Police Chief John Orzech said the person or people behind the meme are wasting police officers’ time.
“The age of whoever did it obviously knew what they were doing,” said Chief Orzech.
Sandusky Police traced the meme back to Monticello High School in Virginia, where a similar meme went viral. It has the same picture and caption, except "MHS" was changed to "Osborn.”
“We have a lot of other more serious crimes to investigate in the city and other things to do, and to take manpower and resources away from doing those tasks are frustrating to investigators,” said Orzech.
Police in Virginia recently arrested the student who created the original meme. They said charges are pending.
Meanwhile, Police in Sandusky said they are also taking the copycat very seriously, and are also looking to make an arrest. He or she will be charged to the fullest extent.
“It's something that we have to make a statement to these kids,” said Chief Orzech.
Police believe this meme was first posted on Snapchat, before it went viral on Facebook. While they are sure it's a hoax, they did have extra police presence at the school on Tuesday as a precaution.
