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Misheard Will Smith Lyrics Results In Arrest Of Student And District-Wide Lockdown

Failures

from the i'd-say-everyone's-familiar-with-this-song,-but... dept

Mon, Mar 4th 2013 10:00am -

So, it’s come to this: the heightened paranoia surrounding all things kid- and school-related, post-Newtown (but also post- other school shootings as well) has managed to turn nearly everything into a potential menace. It’s one thing to be cautious and alert for warning signs or veiled threats. It’s quite another to turn a recorded rendition of the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” theme into a police matter.

Here’s how this bit of insanity went down, as delivered by Gideon of A Public Defender. (You may remember Gideon as the Twitterer whose curiosity about a certain unenforceable statement kicked off the Teri Buhl fiasco.):

First, from the increasingly stupid United States of America, a story of how a teen’s life got flip-turned upside down. You see, he was just on the playground where he spent most of his days, minding his own business. You know, chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool and sometimes with this friends he liked to be shooting some b-ball outside of the school.

WAIT. DID HE JUST SAY SHOOT AND SCHOOL IN THE SAME SENTENCE? ARREST HIM! Once you’re done laughing, know that that’s exactly what happened to 19-year old Travis Clawson because a doctor’s office called his voicemail to confirm an appointment, heard the above line, thought he was shooting people outside the school and called cops. Who arrested him first, then spent the 20 seconds it takes to realize it’s the theme song from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. No word on whether Carlton showed up to dance and everyone laughed at him.

A few things to note:

1. This was the teen’s voicemail greeting. It wasn’t as if he was calling the school and making threats. It’s highly doubtful that criminals (or aspiring criminals) are leaving records of their future exploits as voicemail greetings. Gideon doesn’t seem convinced this is a thing.

Also: is this a thing now? People leave notes of their criminal intent as voicemail messages? “Hi, you’ve reached my cellphone. I’m unavailable right now because I’m robbing that Stop-n-Go on Orchard and Willard. Leave me a message and I’ll get back to you when I get out in 5-20 years because I’m stupid enough to leave — BEEP.”

  1. The police arrested the student for something that took likely less than a minute to explain. Couldn’t this have been handled with a little in-person questioning, rather than escalating the situation immediately by arresting first, questioning second? I understand that the word “b-ball” could possibly be misheard as “people” and the receptionist probably did the right thing by notifying law enforcement, but it still seems as though this could all have been sorted out in a five minute discussion.
  2. This isn’t noted in Gideon’s commentary, but the police had the teen’s school (along with the rest of the district) go into lockdown mode while they searched for the Will Smith-quoting “gunman.” From there, it gets even more ridiculous:

The call to 911 forced the entire district into lockdown for about 30 minutes and police said they detained the 19-year-old student for three hours while searching his locker, before determining that it was all one big misunderstanding.

Never mind what I said about point 2. I know it’s often said that we should “err on the side of caution,” but, seriously, three hours to “search a locker?” Obviously, no one bothered asking the teen anything about the message until they ran about 2:50 off the clock.

Officer Mike Natale says, “[The teen] was afraid and embarrassed.” No kidding. I would imagine more of the first than the second. Three hours being detained by police while under lockdown and not being given any hint as to what started the whole debacle would make anyone, possibly even an actual criminal, “afraid.”

In wxpi.com’s story, the police officer states that the teen “had learned from his mistake” (towards the end of the video). Really? What mistake? There are plenty of mistakes in this story, but a teen recording one of the most well-known TV theme songs as an outgoing voicemail message isn’t one of them.

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Comments on “Misheard Will Smith Lyrics Results In Arrest Of Student And District-Wide Lockdown”

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86 Comments
DannyB (profile) says:

Re: Re:

So.. someone makes an accusation,
and then no one verifies the source until told to do so

The police were following this proper procedure as learned from their mandated RIAA / MPAA training.

This “making an accusation” thing sounds like a vulnerability in the code that is just waiting for a mass exploit to be written.

Lord Binky says:

Re: Re: Re:

Maybe we set it up that after accusing someone else of a crime, if it turns out that the crime didn’t occur, the accuser then receives all punishments as if the crime occurred and the accused receives all awards.

I think this knee-jerk reaction stuff would stop happening fairly quick with such a system.

Milton Freewater says:

Re: Re: Re:

“The police were following this proper procedure as learned from their mandated RIAA / MPAA training.”

True, but then they arrested him. Big mistake. The correct procedure is to assume the kid is guilty, then give him a strike and warn him that if he makes three to five more threats, his cell phone plan will be downsized.

Ninja (profile) says:

Ah, so that’s what they say when they link songs with violence. Yep, we should ban violent songs because they are turning ordinary citizens in mass murderers. Someone needs to introduce a bill to deal with the issue. I’m sure a voluntary ratings system could help, the ratings should be spoken loudly at the beginning of the songs so parents know what their kids are listening to and if it’s approved by.. whoever.

I know this is more tragic than comic but I couldn’t help but to laugh on this. The US needs psychiatric help.. And that coming from a person that lives in one of the most violent metropolis in the world..

John Fenderson (profile) says:

The receptionist did not do the right thing

the receptionist probably did the right thing by notifying law enforcement

I disagree. I think the receptionist did exactly the wrong thing. In this day and age, it should be readily apparent to everyone that overreaction is standard police procedure, and people should think twice about calling them except when the danger is actually obvious.

If the receptionist really felt compelled to inform anybody — and I’m not sure s/he should have — it should have been the school.

Lord Binky says:

Re: The receptionist did not do the right thing

Was she too lazy to have someone make sure she heard right? Was she blinded by the chance to ‘be a hero’? Maybe she is just that paranoid or had some prejudice to the rhythm of the lyrics.

Whatever it is, this was dangerous and you assume she has more sense than this normally, although I guess she could cry out ?He has a gun!? at the bank when she thinks she might have glimpsed on, or run to security when someone sets their luggage down at an airport.

Well, I hope their office does not have any patients that are photographers that ever take pictures at the school.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re: The receptionist did not do the right thing

I think the blame here lies with police. I realize that they want to respond immediately to any possibility of a school shooting situation, but they could have spared the thirty seconds it would have taken to call the number and listen to the voicemail message themselves. They could have done that much ON THE WAY THERE.

I would also like to know what crime they had probable cause for, to arrest him.

Travis (profile) says:

Lawsuit!!

I wonder if the father can sue the school and the police for emotional distress caused to his child over this. I’d be SUPREMELY pissed at the principal over this BS.

This is just like the stupid BS that happened in Ontario where a kid got yanked out of class and his home got searched because some dumbass teacher thought his father might be violent. Seriously, these nations have got to get their head out of their asses and stop living in a state of fear.

Ninja (profile) says:

Re: Lawsuit!!

happened to 19-year old Travis Clawson

He’s an adult. But yes, I agree that it is quite the predicament.

Also, the Principal is not at fault. It was not the school that called the police.

Seriously, these nations have got to get their head out of their asses and stop living in a state of fear.

That. I think that feeding and maintaining such state is what actually causes people to snap and develop mental disorders.. Also, America needs more holidays (as in days that workplaces close to celebrate whatever).

Greevar (profile) says:

Re: Re: Lawsuit!!

America doesn’t do preventative health care. We prefer to let the problem fester until it becomes something harmful and expensive that the insurance provider can deny coverage on.

America is a nation of slaves. We’re indentured to the capitalist economy for everything we need to live and have been rendered unable to live without it. You can’t make a life for yourself without bowing to the system. We’re kept in line with complacent apathy and fear.

Sneeje (profile) says:

Re: Lawsuit!!

I feel what you’re saying, I really do. But sadly, it is exactly your reaction that causes people to act in this manner. If you are in a position of responsibility and use ANY judgment whatsoever to bend policy, pause, reflect, or generally behave like a human, and something goes wrong YOU are hung out to dry.

People in positions of responsibility can no longer rely on their organizations to back them if they use good judgment even when that judgment is mistaken.

Using judgment MUST come with the latitude of making mistakes and not having those mistakes expose you to massive liability, firing, or worse.

We can’t have it both ways.

Anonymous Coward says:

Sorry? People are defending this teen?
Did he have a licence to perform the lyrics?
Did he pay one cent to the copyright holder?

He should wish he’d been charged with the intention to kill ppl, cos now he’s in a whole world of trouble for unlawfully using copyrighted material. Now he’ll find out what fear really is!

Anonymous Coward says:

Breakdown!

Lets have a look at the probable po-leece time accounting for this little oopsie:

02:00 spent strutting about while openly displaying tools of enforcement; engaging in gratuitous acts of stern demeanor and self-importance (such as code-talking on the “2-way”); brandishing self-justifying portentous statements. (The “usual” SOP employed for the purpose of impressing “the peons” and weak-minded individuals, and frightening the elderly and those who possess cameras.)

00:02 finding, in the locker in question, nothing incriminating or of importance to anyone but a teenage student.

00:48 conspicuously and loudly conferring with one another, directly and via the 2-way, while ascertaining that what was found in the student’s locker was not, in fact, guns or ammunition, had no passing resemblance to guns or ammunition, and could not in fact be employed to fabricate, 3D print, or disseminate guns or ammunition or information about guns or ammunition.

Sounds like a perfectly reasonable expenditure of around three hours to me — if there’s some sort of secret municipality-level competition with the DOJ for over-the-top clueless display of authority at the drop of a hat.

G Thompson (profile) says:

After the terrible, OMG think of the children, incident with a 7 year old wielding a Weaponised Danish at a USA Elementary School just recently [an update here too], I have no idea why the authorities haven’t just sent this teenager straight to Gitmo.

I mean really!

Disclaimer: ‘The Danish’ does not refer to the Danes from Denmark.. they are quite nice people.. though get em riled up and those clogs freakin hurt

Mega1987 (profile) says:

Congratulation!*sarcasm mode*

Give those guys an Epic Pail(yes… Pail, as in Bucket, in place of Fail) For Shoot first, then Execute AND FINALLY ask question after Execution of the guilty.

Not even giving time nor space for the poor kid to explain what’s going on.

What next? the same thing happen but they killed the kid in question then suddenly realizing it’s just a ringtone of a well known song?

Paranoia beyond the impossible level and Beyond!!!!

And Learned from his mistake? is it a mistake we can put over favorite songs on our cellphone as the in-coming call/text ringtone? Talk about dull ass…

btrussell (profile) says:

“I understand that the word “b-ball” could possibly be misheard as “people” and the receptionist probably did the right thing by notifying law enforcement, but it still seems as though this could all have been sorted out in a five minute discussion.”

If she did the right thing, are the cops supposed to just believe what suspect says and leave?

If they had left within five minutes, then some students were murdered, what would we be saying? They should have taken more time to investigate?

Not a fan of cops, but…

Couple of nights ago.
“Two Ontario Provincial Police officers responded to a call at about 12:30 a.m. at a Bancroft home, the SIU said in a news release issued Saturday afternoon.

As the officers left the home with a 24-year-old man, he picked up a weapon and struck one officer. The nature of the weapon has not been disclosed.

The 24-year-old man suffered several gunshot wounds after a police officer fired his gun, the SIU said.

As well, a 49-year-old man in the home suffered a gunshot wound to the arm.”
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Shots+fired+injured+Bancroft+arrest/8040825/story.html

As he was being escorted(peacefully apparently as he wasn’t in cuffs) out of the house(could have happened outside, I haven’t had an update since yesterday), he grabbed a hatchet and attacked one(?) of the officers.

…they do have a job to do.

John Fenderson (profile) says:

Re: Re:

are the cops supposed to just believe what suspect says and leave?

It’s not a matter of believing what the kid says. It’s a matter of them simply listening to the message in question. The cops wouldn’t have even had to speak with the kid.

The case you cite in your comment is radically different than this one.

btrussell (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:

“It’s not a matter of believing what the kid says. It’s a matter of them simply listening to the message in question. The cops wouldn’t have even had to speak with the kid.”

I was of the impression whoever called the cops thought it was the person talking and did not realize it was voice-mail.

The case I cited was just to demonstrate the danger involved, even when the suspect seems to be cooperating.

Anonymous Coward says:

Re: Re:

“are the cops supposed to just believe what suspect says and leave?”

In this case? Yes. Of course, they can call the kid’s voicemail and verify that the message was nothing to be alarmed about. They could have closed the case without even talking to him.

“…he picked up a weapon and struck one officer.”

So what do you think the moral of the story is? That police should just arrest everyone they come in contact with, so they won’t be able to attack police?

“If they had left within five minutes, then some students were murdered, what would we be saying? They should have taken more time to investigate?”

Well, I don’t know what YOU would be saying. But since the ONLY reason they were called to investigate in the first place was that voice mail message, I know that I would NOT be saying they should have investigated more even if that student HAD murdered people five minutes after the police left.

Police only have so many resources. If they waste several hours on something like this, that’s several hours not spent on something else. How would you feel if a bus full of children was killed by a drunk driver because the officers who normally patrol that road were instead at a school for three hours searching the locker of somebody who used a Will Smith song on his voice mail message?

PaulT (profile) says:

Re: Re:

“are the cops supposed to just believe what suspect says and leave?”

Yes, since the suspect can just say “listen to the damn message”, which will prove it’s a TV theme tune. What he’s saying is “it wasn’t a threat, it was a voicemail message taken from a TV show”, and 2 minutes of showing them that would prove it. What else is there to investigate?

If you think that this provides any further explanation or investigation, I think you’re part of the problem. The other example you’re giving is completely irrelevant to this case (and low on details – why was he being arrested?), and if you think that such overreaction is required to what was obviously a complete misunderstanding, I feel rather sorry for the constant state of fear you must spend your life living.

“If they had left within five minutes, then some students were murdered, what would we be saying?”

That whatever evidence there was regarding his future behaviour, it clearly had fuck all to do with the voicemail message?

“they do have a job to do”

Which involves looking at real crimes, not wasting 3 hours on what would have been an obvious misunderstanding within moments. If there was any reason to suspect a real problem, fine. This was so clearly not an issue, it’s laughable.

btrussell (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:

“If you think that this provides any further explanation or investigation, I think you’re part of the problem. The other example you’re giving is completely irrelevant to this case (and low on details – why was he being arrested?), and if you think that such overreaction is required to what was obviously a complete misunderstanding, I feel rather sorry for the constant state of fear you must spend your life living.”

I lived on a farm and worked construction building houses for years. I ain’t runnin’ from nobody.
Ain’t nobody runnin’ from me. That’s the way it’s supposed to be.

See my above comments.

PaulT (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re: Re:

Your above comments were basically “someone got scared of phantoms, and despite there being no reason think that anything was wrong, an innocent person should still be detained for hours to have himself searched just in case”. Sorry, but that’s shitting yourself in constant fear.

Yes, some people react badly to being arrested, as per your original link (hugely incomplete – it’s impossible to judge until knowing why the guy was arrested in the first place). But, most don’t. The best way to avoid triggering a negative response to being arrested? Make sure you’re only arresting people when the situation and evidence warrant it – so after questioning, at the very least.

This story is about a simple misunderstanding – itself caused by a state of paranoia. The guy didn’t do anything wrong, the situation could be proven in seconds, and there’s no reason to think he actually made any kind of threat at all – let alone to think he was backing up any kind of threat. What you’re supporting is that a guy be arrested and detained for hours because someone thought they heard him say something, and do that because someone else has attacked cops? Pant-shitting fear, nothing else.

btrussell (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:2 Re:

“I understand that the word “b-ball” could possibly be misheard as “people” and the receptionist probably did the right thing by notifying law enforcement, but it still seems as though this could all have been sorted out in a five minute discussion.”

If she did the right thing, are the cops supposed to just believe what suspect says and leave?
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130303/18153122181/misheard-will-smith-lyrics-results-arrest-student-district-wide-lockdown.shtml#c595

Yes, I am scared shitless. Please don’t hurt me.

Yes the link is incomplete. I take full responsibility for the reporting of the Ottawa Citizen and the info released by the Bancroft OPP(Ontario Provincial Police) and SIU(Special Investigations Unit).

IF you believe she did the right thing, calling the Police because of a recorded message playing a theme song from tv, to quote you “Sorry, but that’s shitting yourself in constant fear.” [I am assuming there is also accompanying music] (I was of the impression whoever called the cops thought it was the person talking and did not realize it was voice-mail.)
()
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130303/18153122181/misheard-will-smith-lyrics-results-arrest-student-district-wide-lockdown.shtml#c819

Some of us exercise and stay in shape. While you might recognize a theme song from tv, I wouldn’t. While you were watching fresh prince, I was out hiking through the bush around Algonquin Park(scared shitless the whole time too! Lions, Moose and Bears. Oh my! That’s why I still do it).

I also walk around the city at night alone. Still wounded from being hit by a car to boot!

Practice what you preach and stick to what you know. Leave the on-line psycho-analysis to wally.

P.S. You are more than welcome to come here to my house and defend pedophiles actions and rights.
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130227/12295722141/google-facebook-twitter-ordered-to-delete-photos-uk-law-enforcement.shtml#c615

PaulT (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:3 Re:

Christ, are you this stupid are are you just offended that I suggested that your accepting of removal of rights just in case there’s a small change of danger makes you a coward? The evidence is in for my assertion, and your stupid attacks on me doesn’t change the fact that you did that. The fact that your response seems to be “no I’m a big man! Look at all the scary big man stuff I do!” doesn’t really change that.

“Yes the link is incomplete. I take full responsibility for the reporting of the Ottawa Citizen and the info released by the Bancroft OPP(Ontario Provincial Police) and SIU(Special Investigations Unit).”

No, but you do take the responsibility for posting a woefully incomplete link as defence of the stupid actions of these cops and your blind acceptance of people being aressted for hours “just in case” a voicemail message was a real threat. Surely you could find a better link, or does the presence of all evidence in the case undermine your point?

“(I was of the impression whoever called the cops thought it was the person talking and did not realize it was voice-mail.)”

I don’t know about you, but I’d hope that the police at least understood the nature of the call before arresting people. That’s because I’m not coward and prefer innocent people to retain their freedom until there’s evidence to prove otherwise.

“Some of us exercise and stay in shape. While you might recognize a theme song from tv, I wouldn’t.”

Ooh goody for you. Yes, the fact that I recognise the theme tune I remember from my school days in the early 90s means I stay indoors all the time. You’re an idiot. Well done with all your camping, big man. Don’t you have a mountain to climb instead of being stupid on the internet?

OK, maybe you’re not a coward. Authoritarian who accepts any excuse for the police to strip rights from people then?

“You are more than welcome to come here to my house and defend pedophiles actions and rights”

What the fuck are you blathering about now? You’re clearly too stupid to understand what I’m actually saying, so we might as well give up here.

btrussell (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:4 Re:

An internet bully. Along with phone bullies, the worst kind as they are the most pusillanimous.

“Christ, are you this stupid are are you just offended that I suggested that your accepting of removal of rights just in case there’s a small change of danger makes you a coward? The evidence is in for my assertion, and your stupid attacks on me doesn’t change the fact that you did that. The fact that your response seems to be “no I’m a big man! Look at all the scary big man stuff I do!” doesn’t really change that.”

I never claimed to be Einstein, but I am smart enough to know that I can probably learn something from anyone, including a fool. Even one like you.
You attacked, I responded.

Apparently you are so focused on attacking that you aren’t comprehending what I am saying.

I can’t see in the post where I am claiming to be a big man doing big man stuff (What is “big man stuff” anyway? Adult activities?). Are you intimidated by a post on the internet? That explains why you think you can scare me with a belligerent post. Grow up and grow a pair.

“No, but you do take the responsibility for posting a woefully incomplete link as defence of the stupid actions of these cops and your blind acceptance of people being aressted for hours “just in case” a voicemail message was a real threat. Surely you could find a better link, or does the presence of all evidence in the case undermine your point?”

Do you know how to google? You should be able to find more info with info already provided. Otherwise, you don’t have a right to insult other peoples intelligence on the internet.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2013/03/05/ottawa-opp-attempted-murder-charge-bancroft-siu-shots-fired.html

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/03/02/siu_called_after_shots_fired_in_bancroft_home.html

http://toronto.ctvnews.ca/siu-called-in-after-shots-fired-in-bancroft-home-1.1178836

http://www.bancroftthisweek.com/2013/03/02/opp-officer-assaulted-shots-fired

Four more links. Am I hiding anything?

My point? “The case I cited was just to demonstrate the danger involved, even when the suspect seems to be cooperating.”
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130303/18153122181/misheard-will-smith-lyrics-results-arrest-student-district-wide-lockdown.shtml#c819

Evidently you haven’t read my other posts in this thread. Although you claimed to have. That makes you a liar.

You are so smart, find us more info. I already provided more than is being reported. Or did you miss that little tidbit I slipped in? Yes you did as you have already demonstrated that you aren’t reading or aren’t comprehending. Obviously there is no need for me to add the little bit more that I can that hasn’t yet been released as you can’t/don’t read anyway.

“I don’t know about you, but I’d hope that the police at least understood the nature of the call before arresting people.”

I guess they should investigate the caller first just in case it is a prank call or someone with a grudge…
Contact all known friends and family of caller and suspect to find out if they had been in a relationship and if caller had access to suspects phone etc…
Five minutes or less for a good cop, eh?

“That’s because I’m not coward and prefer innocent people to retain their freedom until there’s evidence to prove otherwise.”

Unless shudder there is a possibility of violence shudder. Then you want to strip away innocent peoples rights because of a few bad apples to possibly save one pedophile from some violence. I like my solution better than yours.
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130227/12295722141/google-facebook-twitter-ordered-to-delete-photos-uk-law-enforcement.shtml#c615

“Ooh goody for you. Yes, the fact that I recognise the theme tune I remember from my school days in the early 90s means I stay indoors all the time. You’re an idiot. Well done with all your camping, big man. Don’t you have a mountain to climb instead of being stupid on the internet?”

Don’t you little people camp?
See that molehill? Make a mountain out of it why don’t you. Then take a hike.
I don’t recall saying anything about camping either. Where did you learn to read? Camping? Big man? Big man stuff? Do you speak English or is it a second language and we are losing something in the translation? You should mention that before being so verbose.

“OK, maybe you’re not a coward. Authoritarian who accepts any excuse for the police to strip rights from people then?”

I don’t call cops. I don’t like cops. I do respect most people though and that includes the job that cops have to do.

You are the one who wants to strip many peoples rights in order to save a pedophile. Another fucking hypocrite. It feels like I am at a bar again and all the assholes want to fight me to prove something. I never have figured out what that something was…

“What the fuck are you blathering about now? You’re clearly too stupid to understand what I’m actually saying, so we might as well give up here.”

Finally!

Was getting tiresome reading all your insults. Isn’t that what people resort to when they don’t have a real argument? Whoever can answer this, I’m just a dumb hick asking a simple question, so please spare the circumlocutory for this simple mind. Thank-you!

PaulT (profile) says:

Re: Re: Re:5 Re:

“Do you know how to google?”

Yes. I also realise that when you’re making a claim you’re the one who has to supply the evidence. Especially since you were trying to say that this kid was right to be held hostage for hours over a stupid misunderstanding, because one time this other guy who was arrested for an unknown reason lost his mind. I can find more details, but you’re the one who has to provide context as to what the information proves, since you’re the one making the claim.

We’re still in the same position, by the way. All of those links repeat exactly the same information and give no reason why the guy was being arrested in the first place (the single piece of information I was requesting). An interesting case, but I still fail to see what this has to do with a guy being detained on the basis of a misheard voicemail message. Other than “some people respond unpredictably to being arrested”, of course – a case for not arresting someone over a vague voicemail threat, not justification for doing so.

“Don’t you little people camp?”

Yes. I also watch TV. You’re the one who asserted that having done one of these things during the 90s made me an inferior person to you because I recalled a famous piece of music. Your continued stupid insults don’t reverse this.

“You are the one who wants to strip many peoples rights in order to save a pedophile.”

You’re either a liar or have completely misunderstood everything I said. You’re the one who resorted to insults first. You’re right, we may as well not bother. I’m not sure whose opinions you think you’re attacking, but they’re sure as hell not mine.

“I’m just a dumb hick”

Finally something we can agree on.

Anonymous Coward says:

gave the police the excuse of running around like headless chickens, trying to put down another non-existing threat, didn’t it? this is reminiscent of the FBI induced terrorist operations that they keep foiling, just to make themselves appear good and to keep the funding being given! if there had been a real threat, the chances are nothing would have happened until it was too late!

Anonymous Coward says:

Shooting

Hey, police? I overheard a member of the AV club threaten to shoot a movie about shooting pool. I heard the Astronomy club is part of a conspiracy to view shooting stars from the school roof. I hear the entire Botany class is working on a nefarious project to grow plant shoots. Someone in the nurse’s office was complaining about a shooting pain in their arm from shooting too much B-ball. Another kid there said he needed an insulin shot. And a couple of kids were shooting the breeze right there on the school steps – one even said he was shooting to get on the honor roll.

You’d better arrest all of them, just to be on the safe side. And put the school on lockdown.

I had another one, but oh shoot, I forgot it. Huh? What are you doing with those handcu-

Anonymous Coward says:

The search time

“I know it’s often said that we should ‘err on the side of caution,’ but, seriously, three hours to ‘search a locker?'”

School lockers tend to have a lot of paper in them. They probably decided they had to read all of his papers and go through all of his notebooks to see if there was a drawing of a gun somewhere. I could see where that might take a while. And maybe he had some electronic device in there that they decided might contain some evidence.

Anonymous Coward says:

I’m glad someone’s finally stepping up to the plate to combat the awful and growing trend of decades-old hip-hop songs shooting up schools. Sure, this time it MIGHT have been misheard lyrics, but what if the song was ACTUALLY shooting people outside of the school? These tragedies cannot be permitted to continue. Think of the children: ban all music.

Niall (profile) says:

Re: In Dumbfuckistan, Guns Own YOU

This is the country where the response to a school shooting is to have more guns in school – except they’ll arrest you for even discussing anything about guns!

In fact, if he actually had a (legal?) gun, the gun nuts would be all over the story whining on about their ‘sacred right to kill’ and how it was being ‘repressed’

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