The hoax was started by a Kentucky student who will not be charged. He recently apologized for the hoax, which began on
Twitter and was inspired by the film The Purge. The film wonders what would happen to a city if one night every year, crime ran rampant on the streets. stay in the house.
Police were able to even find out who started it and make contact. This teenager spoke out about it the hoax and
said, "I told them I was just joking around. I was sitting in my house and watching ‘The Purge,' and I thought of the tweet and picture that started it. But I didn't think it'd get that big from there. I didn't mean any harm by this at all. I love my city."
The hoax made its impact felt, though. Local media reports
write the threats "caused the cancellation of at least one football scrimmage Friday night, when Kenton County administrators decided not to let the Simon Kenton team travel to St. Xavier because of the purge rumors."
Ben Jackey, spokesman for Jefferson County Public Schools, recommended teachers
discuss with students about "being responsible digital citizens" and the "dangers of social media and the permanence of postings."
