Erie-area teens report online death threats linked to “Percy Jackson” star Walker Scobell prom speculation
What began as excitement around prom season in Erie County has t
aken a troubling turn involving local students and Percy Jackson and the Olympians star Walker Scobell.
At least six girls from schools across Erie say they have received online death threats through calls, text messages, and direct messages. Some of the teens say they were targeted despite not even knowing who Walker Scobell is. The messages, according to students, have escalated from speculation about prom dates into explicit threats against their lives and families.
One McDowell High School teen says she and several of her friends received messages threatening to kill them and their families.
The situation has drawn attention after reports connected the online harassment to rumors surrounding who Walker Scobell might attend prom with.
In response to the situation, Scobell spoke out on Instagram, saying in part: “Please stop sending death threats to every teenage girl who could be remotely associated with me based on their proximity to where I live.”
Fairview High School Principal Luke Beall said the district is aware of the situation and is taking it seriously. He stated, “We take all threats of any kind seriously and hold the safety of our students as our number one priority, and while this isn’t new to the school district, the goal is to ensure students can live as normal a life as possible.”
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, online threats can carry serious consequences ranging from school discipline or job loss at the lower end, to felony charges, years in prison, and a permanent criminal record in more severe cases.
As the investigation into the messages continues, the incident highlights growing concerns about how quickly online speculation can escalate into real-world harm, especially when it involves minors and public figures.