Foothill: Quick response finds no danger after student joke about threat

School and police officials found themselves investigating a potential threat at Foothill High School on Thursday morning that was ultimately determined to have been a joking comment between students.

The incident was quickly resolved — and did not result in a lockdown — but served as a timely chance to remind students and parents that all possible threats are taken seriously and shouldn’t be joked about, school officials said.

“A comment was made in jest during a conversation between students at Foothill, was investigated quickly by the school and PPD, and no credible threat was found,” Pleasanton Unified School District spokesman Patrick Gannon told the Weekly on Friday.

“As school administrators, we take every potential threat seriously and respond to it accordingly. While a student may say something as a joke, it may not be interpreted that way by others. And whether a student intends to make a threat or a joke, there are real consequences that may follow,” Foothill principal Sebastian Bull said in a message to the school community Thursday afternoon.

Bull asked parents to take the opportunity to speak with their children about the need to avoid joking about potential threats at school while also being diligent about reporting actual threats to authorities.

“It is important to stress to students that once a comment is made at school or on social media, regardless of intent, it is hard to take back,” Bull said. “In the event these comments reference potential threats, it can impact the sense of safety and educational environment of our entire school community.”