The latest occurrence in a trend of threats toward students forced the cancellation of a school dance at D’Iberville Middle School over the weekend.
Going into Saturday’s event, the school’s principal and the district superintendent sent a joint letter to parents notifying them of the threat and calling off the annual dance out of precaution. According to the letter, which was sent at 1:15 p.m., a tip was submitted after a social media post signaled there was going to be a shooting at the dance.
“D’Iberville Middle School received a tip from Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline stating there is going to be a shooting at the D’Iberville Middle School Dance,” Principal Matthew Elias and Superintendent William Bentz wrote.
“As the safety and security of our students remain our number one priority, tonight’s dance will be canceled,” the letter continued. “We are so sorry for the inconvenience and disappointment this may cause. We are continuing to work with authorities and make the recommended adjustments in the coming days.”
Elias and Bentz also used the letter to remind and encourage parents to talk with their students about the importance of reporting any suspicious threats to school officials and law enforcement. Officials did not clarify whether the culprit has been located and if any arrests have been made.
The situation in D’Iberville continues a series of school threats that has transpired in Mississippi since the beginning of the school year. Since the start of the current academic calendar, over 100 calls have been made by schools requesting law enforcement assistance due to a threat, based on information from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The total at this point in 2023 was around 66.
Law enforcement officials have told SuperTalk Mississippi News in previous interviews that they have been working and are continuing to work to taper what’s become an epidemic not only across the state but the U.S. According to recent data, an estimated 3 million children in America annually are exposed to gunfire either at school or outside of classroom hours. Guns continue to be the leading cause of death among children and teenagers, with 10 percent of firearm death victims being younger than 19 years old.
