iPads hacked at Ocean Bay Elementary. Students received threats of ‘Dead,’ ‘Shoot’ in chats
Ocean Bay Elementary went to a secure status Friday after someone hacked into the school’s iPads and began sending words such as “Bye,” “Dead” and “Shoot” to students.
The school implemented the security measure after receiving a “threatening digital message,” according to a note sent to parents Friday. The message to parents said that law enforcement was called.
The messages were sent from several accounts to students in a classroom chat, according to a Horry County Police report.
Police responded to the school at 950 International Drive at 1 p.m. Friday.
Staff told police that someone had hacked into the school’s iPads and was able to start sending videos and messages in a classroom chat to all the students in the chat, according to the report. There was also a video which consisted of a scary movie, staff told police.
Staff said that it had been an ongoing issue over a few days, but stated on Friday that the messages became more concerning and law enforcement was called.
Staff also stated that the iPads randomly started changing languages and not working as they should, the report said.
The messages came from either the teacher’s account or other students’ accounts, but it was not them sending the messages, according to the report.
Most of the messages where one word messages, such as “Bye,” “Dead,” “Get Safe,” “SOS,” “Shoot” and “School,” sent within a 7-minute period, police said.
The school implemented the security measure “out of an abundance of caution,” the message to parents said.
A secure status means that students and staff will return indoors and the school will lock outside doors. However, school will continue as normal.
Horry County Schools spokeswoman Lisa Bourcier said Friday by email that parents received the notification as soon as administration was aware of the situation. The incident remains under investigation, she said.
Bourcier could not immediately be reached for comment Monday.
The police report said the school is currently working with its IT department in an attempt to figure out where the messages were coming from.
This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 4:57 PM.
