The Guardia Civil has launched an investigation after threatening graffiti referencing school shootings appeared in two secondary schools on the Costa del Sol.
The messages were discovered in separate institutions in Rincon de la Victoria over the past week.
They have caused concern among parents and the wider educational community, although authorities say there is currently no indication of a credible threat.
The latest incident was discovered Wednesday inside a bathroom at a school in La Cala del Moral, according to reports from Diario SUR.
Written on one of the walls was a threatening message referring to a supposed shooting planned for the following day, telling students to ‘be prepared’.
Just one week earlier, a nearly identical message had appeared at another school in the same municipality.
Following the discoveries, school management teams immediately activated security protocols and informed both education inspectors and police authorities. Formal complaints were also filed.
Schools contacted parents directly to reassure families and to prevent rumours spreading unnecessarily.
According to initial lines of investigation, authorities believe the incidents may be linked to viral social media ‘challenges’ that encourage students to post threatening or alarming messages online or in schools as a prank.
Similar cases have emerged elsewhere in Spain and internationally in recent years, often resulting in police investigations despite there being no genuine intent to carry out attacks.
In communications sent to parents, school officials stressed the seriousness of this type of behaviour, warning that what some students may view as a joke can have serious legal consequences.
The regional education authority confirmed its inspection service is aware of the incidents and also pointed towards recent online trends as a possible explanation.
Despite the initial alarm, classes continued as normal at both schools and no evacuations or lockdowns were deemed necessary.
The Guardia Civil investigation remains ongoing as officers work to identify whoever was responsible for the graffiti.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
