Students say they were on Facebook just before winter break discussing the rumors about a shooting that would happen in Frederick County Public Schools the next day.

During that online chat, one student mentions going to Millbrook High School with weapons.

"To protect ourselves if there was a shooting," said Joseph Kaiser, one student in the chat conversation.

Joseph Kaiser says that's the reason he posted "Just bring your guns" to a group of three friends on Facebook.

Moments after he did it, he says, he had second thoughts.

"But then we wouldn't want to be falsely accused of being suspects of causing the shooting," said Joseph.

The next morning, the Millbrook freshman says, only that portion of the conversation was given to the principal by a parent who saw it.

He says, he was suspended for ten school days for constituting a threat or a continuing danger to the physical well-being of others.

"I clearly wasn't meaning to be a threat to the school," said Joseph. "I don't own any weapons, and me and my friends were just looking out for our own safety."

"Was it a bad statement, yes," said David Wakefield, Joseph's father. "Was it something that should've had my kid suspended for ten days and possibly not being able to come back to school, no."

Joseph's father gave us a copy of what he says was written on Facebook.

It shows Joseph writing, "Second thought, don't bring the guns... If we're on lockdown they might think you're a suspect."

"They all realize rationally at the end of it, that was the wrong thing to do, and they all made a good decision by deciding not to do anything like that, and go to the authorities," said David.

It's been a tough lesson Joseph has learned about being careful with what you post online.

"I apologize for those comments. I realize it was wrong."

The spokesman for Frederick County Public Schools says, that they place a high priority on safety and take all rumors seriously.

Steve Edwards says, that they've done a great deal of communicating with parents, students and staff about this over the last few weeks.

In a letter home to parents, the school district said that many of the rumors about possible violence at school were being spread through social media, including on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Leaders are encouraging parents to keep an eye on what their kids are posting online.

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