Two Safety Incidents in Three Days at Dublin Scioto High School Leave Parents Uneasy

Two safety incidents at Dublin Scioto High School within three days have unsettled parents, as school officials and police responded to a student found with a handgun and a separate threat posted on social media.

On Wednesday, a 17-year-old student was found with a handgun at the school and was taken to juvenile detention. The student faces two felony charges: illegal conveyance or possession of a deadly weapon or dangerous ordnance in a school safety zone, and receiving stolen property.

According to the school district, a second student was later detained after being interviewed at the school as part of the ongoing investigation. That student was not armed. The district said a brief building hold was put in place while law enforcement escorted the student out of the building.

On Friday, two days later, Dublin City Schools sent parents an email saying a student had posted a threatening statement about the school on social media. The district concluded the threat was not credible and said there was no active threat at Scioto High School. The student will face consequences under Board of Education policy.

Extra Dublin police officers were on campus Friday out of an abundance of caution, and the school day went on as normal.

For some families, the incidents felt close to home. Andy Riva lives three houses from the school with his three daughters. "Living just three houses down from the school, it does concern us," he said. His children attend private school in Worthington, but he said the events have started conversations at home about why such things happen and who children can turn to with concerns. He tries to be open with them while keeping explanations at a high level, and encourages them to confide in trusted adults such as counselors and coaches.

Jennifer Jorgensen has three middle schoolers who will move on to Scioto. She called the gun incident frightening. "It's scary as a parent and thinking about any guns involvement," she said. Her children have been taught safety procedures at school, including how to take cover. Jorgensen, whose two children have special needs, said she talks with them about staying near adults, asking for help and discussing what they see or hear in a safe setting.

Dublin Police Chief Justin Páez said officers take reports of threats seriously. "Posts made online can have significant real-world impacts," he said. "Even when a statement is intended as a joke or exaggeration, it can cause fear, disrupt learning and trigger a significant public safety response." He urged students to think carefully before posting and to remember that online actions can carry serious consequences.

Police also encourage students to speak up when something seems wrong and to tell a trusted adult or a school resource officer. Jorgensen said parents have a role as well. "I think they pick up on a lot more than what we probably share at home just from being at school and just from the news," she said, adding that the news often starts the conversation before parents have to.