POLICE: AR-15 postcard sent to parent by elderly political activist
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IDAHO FALLS — A woman in her 80s is responsible for causing some panic in Idaho Falls School District 91 on Thursday.
Idaho Falls Police say the woman, who has not been named, contacted police Friday morning and indicated she had sent a postcard to raise political awareness of gun issues.
The postcard, sent to a parent in District 91 on Wednesday, had a stock image of an AR-15 rifle and the words “Coming to a school Near you?”
An image of the postcard was posted on social media late Wednesday and went viral locally on Thursday. The school district, Idaho Falls Police Department and local media received hundreds of messages from concerned parents who viewed the message as a gun threat at a local school. Despite rumors, and increased security at D91 schools, officials say there was never any specific threat against a school or any student.
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The woman told officers that she sent four postcards, using the phone book to locate addresses in local neighborhoods that may have a high number of young children, according to a news release. The other postcards have not been reported to police, although the woman provided the addresses where she mailed them.
Police spokeswoman Holly Cook said the woman has participated in political activism for many years, and has sent out postcards on issues before. She told police she felt “deep anguish that the mail piece created emotional mayhem instead of thoughtful pause.”
Cook said the department is not recommending charges, because they don’t believe there was willful intent to threaten anyone or anything.
Cook express more concern about the rumors that started on social media.
“This was an example of what can happen in this day and age when the message gets out of control faster than anyone can handle it,” Cook said.