By SYLVAN LEBRUN UPDATED: September 18, 2024
Threats of violence have sparked chaos at dozens of schools in Chicago and its surrounding suburbs since the beginning of the school year, leading to lockdowns, security screenings and days of remote learning.
Over the past two weeks, a series of anonymous posts circulating on social media have warned of shootings and other acts of violence at local schools. Police department officials say that most of these threats have not been found to be credible after investigation – however, they have had a significant impact on the daily lives of students across the Chicago area, causing school closures and widespread panic among parents on social media.
…
Jayden Wright, who advocates against gun violence among teens as a member of national organization Project Unloaded’s Youth Council, said that he has noticed a widespread “desensitization” that is “taking a toll” on young people amid constant news of school shootings and gun threats in the media.
“These threats are really causing a division and making us, in a way, turn against each other, because we’re not sure who to trust, because we don’t know what families have access to these guns at home,” Wright said.
Wright grew up in Chicago, attending the Intrinsic Schools charter high school in Irving Park. His first experience with gun violence occurred when he was a sophomore, when another student was shot one morning during first period classes.