Beheading threats sent to Elementary Schools in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire
It may be just a prank: some creep thinking it funny to capitalize on the news of the Islamic State and Oklahoma jihad beheadings by threatening schoolchildren. Or it could be someone who wants to “strike terror into the hearts of the enemies of Allah” (Qur’an 8:60) but doesn’t intend to follow through. Or it could herald a Beslan-style jihad attack in the U.S.
“Parents worried after beheading threat at 3 R.I. schools,” by Anthony Miller, WHDH.com, October 9, 2014 (thanks to Elizabeth):
JOHNSTON, R.I. (WHDH) – A threat targeting elementary school children in several Rhode Island communities caused concern for many parents Wednesday.
Investigators say someone threatened to behead students at schools in Johnston, Cranston and Warwick.
Because of the threat, many parents kept their children out of class even though police had a visible presence on campus.
“We want to ensure that there’s a safe environment for our students as they go to our schools not only just today but throughout the entire period that they’re in school,” Cranston Mayor Allan Fung said.
Many parents kept their kids at home Wednesday. Others decided to walk their children to school.
“It is safe and I hope it’s just a prank that they’re playing, the threat is not that serious. I hope everything gets back to normal because our kids do need their education,” Giovanni Carpenter said.
The drama in Rhode Island comes on the heels of similar threats in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.
Police in Rhode Island say they don’t believe this is a credible threat but the community is certainly not taking any chances.
“When these threats come in, we take them very serious, but at the same time, we don’t want these threats to affect our daily lives including what they do here educating students,” Cranston Police Chief Michael Winquist said.
The threat was reportedly handwritten and police have enlisted the help of the FBI to determine the source of the letter.
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