Mother Faces Backlash for Sharing School Shooting Rumor on Social Media Instead of Alerting Authorities

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In a recent incident in New Mexico, a mother found herself in hot water after posting alarming rumors about a potential school shooting on Facebook instead of contacting the authorities. Maria Lopez shared a message that quickly sparked panic among parents of students at Sierra Middle School. She wrote, “Does anyone else have kids at Sierra? My son heard that some 8th graders might bring guns to school on Monday for a shootout to see who can be the first to die,” according to reports.

Lopez’s intentions stemmed from a place of fear and concern for her child’s safety, especially after her son mentioned that the school had issued a warning about what to do in case of a shooting. While her anxiety was understandable, the police emphasized that the proper course of action would have been to notify them or the school directly.

As a result of her post, at least 160 students chose to skip school, leading to a public nuisance charge against Lopez. Although the charge could have resulted in a 30-day jail sentence, it was ultimately deferred, and she was only required to pay a minimal court fee of $29. Many parents can sympathize with her instinct to share alarming news on social media; after all, community groups are often a place for sharing urgent information.

However, in situations involving serious threats, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and contact law enforcement rather than relying on social media. If you encounter alarming rumors like this, remember to reach out to the appropriate authorities first.

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In summary, while the desire to inform others is commendable, actions in crisis situations should always prioritize direct communication with law enforcement to ensure everyone’s safety.