Authorities: ‘No trustworthy danger’ to social media reports of Gallery Night shooting
PPD: ‘No credible risk’ to social media rumors of Gallery Night shooting
Pensacola News Journal
Pensacola police say there’s no credible danger concerning a rumor dispersing on social networks cautioning individuals of a potential shooting at Gallery Night tonight.
The threat, which was copied and pasted and spread rapidly on Facebook Thursday night, warned people that high school and university student had gotten a text “stating that a man wants to soar Seville (Quarter) tonight.
” Even if it is a sick (curse) hoax, it is a severe danger offered the present climate, be safe,” the post read. “If you equip yourself or defend yourself, be WISE about it.”
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PPD representative Mike Wood told the News Journal that police understands the threat but did not think it was trustworthy.
” We have heard of it and we’re monitoring it, as well as the rumors at Walmart and every place else that has more than 50 individuals,” Wood stated. “We’re not too worried with it. We’re sorting through all of it, and there’s a difference between a risk being made and individuals simply passing along details.”
Wood said uniformed and plain clothes officers will be at Gallery Night tonight, just as they are every Gallery Night.
” If we receive a reputable threat, we will come out in force with details,” Wood said. “However we have not up until now.”
The Gallery Night report spread as the whole nation is on edge following a series of mass shootings in public locations in the previous month.
Some of those spreading out the rumor on social networks motivated others to arm themselves.
” As far as bring hidden, if you have a license you’re definitely able to do it, simply not in bars,” Wood stated. “So none of that changes anything.”
Annie Blanks can be reached at ablanks@pnj.com or 850-435-8632.
This content was originally published here.