Sandy Hook Promise Prevents a School Shooting in California

At Least 19 Attacks Have Been Prevented by the Organization Since 2018

NEWTOWN, Conn., Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A California community prevented a school shooting after a student reported a threat via Sandy Hook Promise's Say Something Anonymous Reporting System recently. The student recognized the warning signs among a peer's Instagram posts, took them seriously, and acted immediately to report the threats. This set off a swift chain of events that ultimately saved lives.

This incident was the 19^th planned school attack that has been verified as prevented by Sandy Hook Promise programs. All of those 19 communities were saved from the trauma of a school shooting because of the brave actions of upstanders that chose to say something.

The alleged suspect posted detailed threats on social media about committing a shooting at a school in the Sequoia Union High School District. The posts included images of firearms, ammunition , and a mapped-out plan for attacking the school.

After the tip was reported to the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, Sandy Hook Promise's National Crisis Center immediately alerted Sequoia Union High School District's local response team. Two schools were placed on lockdowns as a precaution. Law enforcement later detained the student and recovered weapons from their home.

With back-to-school season scarred by tragic incidents of school shootings and gun violence, this intervention underscores that preventing gun violence in our schools and communities is possible. It also highlights the critical need for sustained federal funding to support effective programs in schools that teach the warning signs of violence.

"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," said Jarrett Dooley, executive director of student services with the Sequoia Union High School District.

Nicole Hockley, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and mother of Dylan who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, stated:

"Because of the courageous actions of one student – a single voice speaking up – this community was spared unimaginable heartbreak," Hockley said. "Every act of violence we prevent, whether it's a planned school shooting, youth suicide, or bullying, is our Promise in action, creating a safer future for all children.

"Sometimes we receive hundreds of tips about a potential threat. Other times, as we saw in California during this incident, it just takes one. At a time where many feel powerless against  gun violence, this student's bravery proves that each of us has the ability to make a difference.  Gun violence is not inevitable – it is preventable – and prevention begins when we recognize the signs and take action."

Mark Barden, co-founder of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, stated:

"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. 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."

The Say Something Anonymous Reporting System is the only anonymous reporting system that exclusively serves school districts nationwide, is 24/7/365, and is backed by proven training that empower youth and adults to recognize warning signs of violence and get help. The most common tips in the past year involve bullying, drugs, harassment, self-harm, and suicide.

The reporting system is always paired with no-cost programs and training that educate school communities about the warning signs, as well as how to create positive school culture that combats social isolation by fostering kindness, empathy, and belonging.

Since its launch by Sandy Hook Promise in 2018, the system has stopped at least 19 credible planned school attacks nationwide. Strict criteria are used to assess and define a prevented attack including law enforcement's investigation verifying the threat, access to a weapon, a credible plan, and that Sandy Hook Promise was the first to receive the tip. In addition to these prevented attacks, thousands of other acts of violence, suicide, and self-harm have been averted nationwide.

For more information about how to prevent school shootings and violence, please visit sandyhookpromise.org.

Assets for members of the media, including photos, B-roll, and other materials, are available online in the Sandy Hook Promise Newsroom.

Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP's mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed "Know the Signs" prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

SOURCE Sandy Hook Promise