Police are working to identify the person behind a concerning social media post containing a threat to carry out a shooting at an east Auckland school.
A parent who has a child at Botany Downs Secondary College (BDSC) contacted the Times about the message and a subsequent email the school sent to parents on August 4.
The email is from associate principal Kerrie Holmes and says: “We have been alerted to a concerning social media post.
“We are working closely with police, who are onsite, to substantiate the information and provide guidance.
“It is safe for staff and students to attend school. We will inform you of any updates via email as appropriate.”
Armed police were seen in front of the school on Chapel Road on the morning of August 4.
Counties Manukau East Police area commander, Inspector Rod Honan, says police were notified of the threat on the night of August 3 and are working to locate those responsible.
“Police will continue to provide reassurance to the school community while these investigations are ongoing.
“The community can be assured police are taking this incident seriously and our investigation team are working to hold those responsible to account.”
BDSC posted an update on the situation on its Facebook page at 4.23pm on August 4 stating the school continues to work with police following the social media post.
“The police have been informed of all school-related events taking place over the weekend and will have a roving patrol in place.
“Staff and student safety continues to be our top priority.”
A subsequent update by the school, posted on its website on August 6, said it was open as normal.
“We continue to take our lead from the police, and they have not indicated that the school should be closed at this time.”
It says the school’s board will not hesitate to close the school for safety of students and staff if required.
A post about the situation on the Times’ Facebook page drew numerous comments from parents who have children at the school.
One parent said she’s “appalled” at how long it took the school to notify her of the threat.
“I got a call from my son around 8am and he was feeling anxious at the presence of the cops.
“I called the school as soon as I had spoken to my boy, and they were vague on what the scenario was, which did nothing to make me feel like my child was safe.
“She also said the cops weren’t armed but my son and his friends all insisted they were.”
Another parent says she has two children at the school and she received an email from its staff about the incident at 10.30am.
“If we received this notification from the school at 8am, I wouldn’t have sent my two [children] to school.”
BDSC principal Karen Brinsden sent the Times a statement she plans to include as part of her monthly bulletin on August 7.
It says getting out accurate and informative communications to all members of the school community is important and comes with challenges given the size of the school’s roll.
“Due to our size, emails have proven to take too long, text messages have limited character composition, hence moving forward, urgent updates will be posted on our website, social media pages (Facebook and Instagram).
“In the future, a text message drawing your attention to an urgent update or message will be sent out to parents and caregivers.”
