Say Something Anonymous Reporting System says it has successfully prevented a school tragedy after student shared concerns

Say Something Anonymous, a digital reporting system created by Sandy Hook Promise, a non-profit focused preventing school violence, says it has successfully prevented a school shooting incident after a student reported concerns.

A student in California recognized warning signs on a peer’s social media and reported the potential threat on the anonymous app. Two schools were placed on lockdown as a precaution before the student concerned was detained and weapons removed from their home.

Sandy Hook Promise says the incident was the 19th school attack it has successfully prevented. The organization was formed in 2013 in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. It aims to educate and youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities.

School shootings continue to occur regularly across the United States. In 2024 alone, there were 56 school shooting incidents. The continued frequency of violent incidents has prompted many school districts to invest in security and prevention measures.

"We are proud partners with Say Something and Sandy Hook Promise. We are grateful that the anonymous student tip resulted in swift action by local law enforcement and school administrators to keep all students, staff, and community members safe," says Jarrett Dooley, Executive Director of Student Services with the Sequoia Union High School District.

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is used alongside free programs and training to educate students and school communities about the warning signs for violence, as well as how to create a more positive school culture and tackle isolation. 

"Headlines about gun violence often overlook the fact that prevention works. Now is the time to come together to support policies that put these tools into more schools and local response teams,” adds Mark Barden, Co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise and father to Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012.

“Bipartisan legislation like the PLAN for School Safety Act and the STOP School Violence Act provide critical resources and funding for proactive prevention, including training on warning signs and anonymous reporting systems. We all can agree – the protection of our children is paramount. Federal policies like these, in addition to California's robust policies that prohibit the misuse of firearms, are important elements that make interventions possible."