POUGHKEEPSIE – City police are investigating a social media threat of a shooting that has forced the Poughkeepsie Middle and High Schools to go to remote learning on Monday.
Detective Lieutenant Matt Clark said the Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) officials were made aware of a social media threat regarding a school shooting aimed at the two schools and they immediately contacted the police department. The threat was discovered on Sunday, March 20.
“The City of Poughkeepsie Police Department continues to work in a collaborative manner with the Poughkeepsie City School District on multiple fronts involving the safety and wellness of City students and staff,” Police Captain Rich Wilson said.
PCSD Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser said the threat referenced that on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday there will be a shooting at the middle and high school. “While it appears that the social media threat is likely a prank, all incidents of threats are taken very seriously.”
Police are asking that guardians and parents monitor social media activity as well as internet use by their children. The PCSD has issued the following suggestions regarding the request:
- When contacting police and/or the district, if the threat is coming from a Snapchat account, please share the Username of the individual making the post. To obtain that, click on the icon/photo near the display name- it will bring you to the username or handle.
- Do not share or forward the threat. It complicates the investigation and may lead to law enforcement contacting you and your child about the post.
