VERONA — A prank threat at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill Central School Tuesday morning was found to be a hoax, according to the Oneida County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff's deputies said a non-specific, suggestive threat was taken from a social media Tik Tok video and then sent out at VVS as a "joke" shortly before 8 a.m. The administration notified the special patrol officer assigned to the school and an investigation was launched.

Deputies quickly determined that the threat was not legitimate and was meant as a prank, authorities stated. No students or faculty members were ever in any danger, deputies said.

Sheriff Robert M. Maciol is advising parents to speak with their school age children about such pranks or jokes and how they may have legal consequences, as well as putting innocent people in fear for their safety.