Erroneous social media posts cause fear in two Kentucky school districts

On Wednesday, Fayette County Public Schools dispelled inaccurate information on social media, emphasizing that there was no active shooter at Lexington’s Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, said district spokesperson Dia Davidson-Smith.

Smith said the inaccurate information in Lexington was borne out of an erroneous post about Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Hopkinsville.

Police in both cities found there was no truth to either report, Davidson-Smith said.

Davidson-Smith said the incident “shines a light” on social media and “false narratives” that created undue fear in both communities.

Fayette schools posted on social media about the false information.

“Due to a social post that was released earlier today to MLK families in our district, officials quickly responded and researched this information,” FCPS said in a statement posted on social media. “We have confirmed there is NO danger to any student or staff member at MLK Jr Academy.”

The Hopkinsville Police Department also posted on Facebook to confirm the false active shooter report.

“There is NO active shooter and students and faculty are deemed safe,” the police department said.

This story was originally published September 13, 2023 at 2:58 PM.