Etta Dale Junior High was placed into a “soft lockdown” Monday morning according to El Reno Public Schools Superintendent Matt Goucher after the district was made aware of a threat on social media.

“We had two girls come into the office and talk with a counselor about a threat they had seen on TikTok that was made by another one of our students. The two students showed the counselor the video,” said Goucher.

Goucher said the student who allegedly made the social media threat was immediately removed from class, the school was placed into soft lockdown and authorities were contacted. The lockdown lasted about 15 minutes, Goucher said. 

He said El Reno Police Department responded as well as the district’s School Resource Officer.

“The police came and searched backpacks and did all the other things they do. We take every threat serious. In today’s society, you cannot take these things lightly,” said Goucher.

Goucher said the video on social media mentioned a weapon but no weapon was found at school.

“There was no weapon in school. The TikTok video mentioned a weapon but none was found in the school,” said Goucher.

Police did take a weapon as evidence after searching the 14-year-old’s home, Interim Police Chief Kirk Dickerson said. 

Dickerson said police received information that a 14-year-old juvenile had reportedly posted a video on social media where a firearm was displayed. It’s believed this action was taken as part of a larger scheme to cause others to believe they were in danger, he said by email. An investigation was initiated, the juvenile was located and arrested. Ultimately, the juvenile was taken to the Canadian County Juvenile Detention Center on various felony complaints related to the incident.