(U//FOUO) HSEM Situational awareness bulletin: Cat in the Hat threat trend 

 Incident Overview

(U//FOUO) Summary: On Aug. 31, 2026, HSEM received reports from other states about a new viral hoax. Agencies have termed it the “Cat in the Hat” hoax due to the nature of the image that accompanies the threat. Primarily shared in short form video, via services such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook/Instagram Reels, the threat typically showcases a dancing Cat in the Hat with verbiage on the video screen of “I’m visiting TOWN or STATE next, better be looking out,” accompanied by a threatening description that is worded like a Dr. Suess rhyme.

(U//FOUO) There is currently an ongoing investigation in multiple states and the UK regarding this viral threat. We learned of this threat from our partners in Maryland. There is at least one confirmed case of this threat documented in Minnesota at the time of this publication, resulting in the closure of a school and/or district out of an abundance of caution.

What to do: (U//FOUO) Whenever a threat is received, always work with your local law enforcement and follow your school’s official policies and procedures regarding threats. This is a bulletin to provide situational awareness only. Agencies may email incident information to the Minnesota Fusion Center (mn.fc@state.mn.us) to further develop the school threat landscape or request investigative assistance.