NEW CITY – Clarkstown Police have identified a 15-year-old boy from Chile as the person who made calls to Felix Festa Middle School in West Nyack, in the Clarkstown School District on November 21 stating there was a gunman in the school.
Police said due to his age and the charges that would stem from that kind of incident, an extradition process cannot be initiated at this time.
A second youth involved in the incident was identified as a Clarkstown student. The investigation revealed the local boy and the youth from Chile met while gaming on the internet.
They conspired to have the boy from Chile phone in a hoax that would cause the school to go on lockdown and initiate a large police response.
Police said given the seriousness of the action and the age of the Clarkstown boy, his case will be adjudicated in Clarkstown Youth Court. School discipline and appropriate supports will also be initiated.
The hoax did not result in the injury of any students, staff or first responders.
Both the school district and police remind parents of the concerns of children who play games on the internet with others they don’t know. Police ask parents to be aware of the concerns of children who play games with strangers from all walks of life who may have bad intentions.
Investigators ask parents to have conversations with their children about the realities and consequences associated with their online activities.
