Police are investigating a series of online threats posted to TikTok that appeared to target students at Mt Lawley Senior High School in Perth, Western Australia. The posts, which have since been deleted, reportedly contained images of heavily armed shooters alongside photos of students in school uniforms.
The threatening content quickly spread among the school community overnight, prompting concern among students, parents, and staff. Authorities confirmed that there is no imminent risk to students, teachers, or the wider public, but have deployed officers to work closely with the school as part of the investigation.
In a statement, WA Police said they were “actively investigating and working with the school to resolve the matter.” The state’s Education Department is also aware of the incident and is deferring to police for further handling.
School Urges Caution Over Social Media Rumours
In an email to parents, principal Lesley Street urged families to talk with their children about both the incident and the responsible use of social media. She did not directly reference the threats, instead warning about the “positive and negative impacts” of online platforms and cautioning against the spread of misinformation.
“It is important to be aware of the positive and negative impacts of social media and conversations within the community, as misinformation and rumours may be unhelpful,” Street wrote.
Multiple police cars were stationed at the school on Friday, and uniformed officers were seen patrolling the area.
Some Parents Kept Children at Home
Despite police assurances that there was no danger, some parents chose to keep their children at home. One parent, who spoke to the ABC on condition of anonymity, said they had heard from other parents about a TikTok video mentioning the date August 15 and implying a shooting at the school.
“It’s probably a pretty low risk that someone’s going to go through with this, but the consequences are high if they do,” the parent said.
They expressed frustration over what they viewed as vague communication from the school. “It was basically a bland letter… it didn’t address the actual issue at all,” they said, noting that the lack of transparency made them uneasy.
The parent added that one of their children had been especially shaken by the news, telling them: “I used to feel safe going to school, now I’m not sure.”
They also believed that “many other parents” made the same decision to keep their children home for the day.
Follow-Up Communication from the School
In a later email sent on Friday afternoon, the principal reassured parents that police had confirmed there were “no safety concerns or immediate risks to students, staff, or members of the community.”
She stated that the school was cooperating fully with authorities and that the matter was being taken seriously.
A Large Perth School with Special Programs
Mt Lawley Senior High School, located in Perth’s inner north, is one of the city’s largest secondary schools, with over 2,000 students. It offers specialist programs in languages and the arts and has a longstanding reputation for academic achievement.
The incident has sparked broader conversations in the community about the potential dangers of social media threats, even when deemed non-credible. Parents and educators are calling for clearer communication protocols in future incidents to ensure both safety and reassurance.
While police continue to investigate the origins of the TikTok posts, the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly digital threats can spread fear and disrupt daily life — even when authorities believe there is no actual danger.
