In what seems like a case of the power of social media to spread rumours, a possible threat to a Smithers school is unsubstantiated, according to Smithers RCMP and Bulkley Vallley School District 54 superintendent Chris van der Mark.
RCMP met with Smithers Secondary School and district staff to create a safety plan and continuous monitoring, according to a police press release.
The Orlando shooting vigil at Smithers Secondary was also moved from 1 p.m. to 11:15 a.m. after police received reports of a possible threat at 8:44 p.m. Thursday night.
"There isn't really anything to say because there wasn't actually anything occurring except that some procedures were activated that resulted in things being moved and things being done," explained van der Mark.
He said information came third and fourth-hand.
"It doesn't matter, at that point you're going to look at things seriously, but it makes it certainly difficult. You don't want to overreact and you don't want to under react," said van der Mark.
The alleged threat was not confirmed to be against the school itself or students, according to the superintendent.
"There was nothing verifiable, there was nothing corroborated," said van der Mark.
"It was a regular day, actually, but people were planning and responding based on a lot of noise out there."