Pensacola police say there's no credible threat regarding a rumor spreading on social media warning people of a potential shooting at Gallery Night tonight.

The threat, which was copied and pasted and spread rapidly on Facebook Thursday night, warned people that high school and college students had gotten a text "saying that a man wants to shoot up Seville (Quarter) tonight.

"Even if it is a sick (expletive) hoax, it is a serious threat given the current climate, be safe," the post read. "If you arm yourself or defend yourself, be SMART about it."

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PPD spokesman Mike Wood told the News Journal that law enforcement is aware of the threat but did not believe it was credible.

"We have heard of it and we're monitoring it, as well as the rumors at Walmart and every place else that has more than 50 people," Wood said. "We're not too concerned with it. We're sifting through all of it, and there's a difference between a threat being made and people just passing along information."

Wood said uniformed and plain clothes officers will be at Gallery Night tonight, just as they are every Gallery Night.

"If we receive a credible threat, we will come out in force with information," Wood said. "But we have not so far."

The Gallery Night rumor spread as the entire country is on edge following a series of mass shootings in public places in the past month.

Some of those spreading the rumor on social media encouraged others to arm themselves.

"As far as carrying concealed, if you have a license you're certainly able to do it, just not in bars," Wood said. "So none of that changes anything."

Annie Blanks can be reached at ablanks@pnj.com or 850-435-8632.