UPDATE: The earlier Mid-Hudson News story, based on information provided by the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department, indicated that the girl was the one responsible for the social media threat that has put Poughkeepsie Middle and High Schools on remote learning on Monday and continuing through Wednesday, was incorrect. The 11-year-old is allegedly responsible for a second threat against the district received this week.
POUGHKEEPSIE – An 11-year-old girl has been identified as the student responsible for a social media threat to “Shoot up Poughkeepsie schools”. She has been issued an appearance ticket returnable in Dutchess County Family Court.
“We are thankful for the quick thinking and action of SnapChat, the FBI and City of Poughkeepsie Police Department for averting any potential issues in our schools,” Superintendent Dr. Eric Rosser said. “We hope all Poughkeepsie City School District students will learn from the awful mistake this student made and understand that the improper use of social media will lead to law enforcement and judicial involvement in addition to disciplinary action outlined in the District’s Code of Conduct.”
City of Poughkeepsie Police Detective Lieutenant Matt Clark said that the FBI notified the city police at 2:51 a.m. on Tuesday that SnapChat, a social media platform, had provided the account information for the person that threatened to “shoot up Poughkeepsie schools” this week. SnapChat also provided the router information associated with the original post.
City of Poughkeepsie Detectives and agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation responded to an address in the City of Poughkeepsie associated with the account in an attempt to identify the person who made the threat. Later Tuesday morning, an 11-year-old female City of Poughkeepsie elementary school student was identified as the person who made the threat, she was issued an appearance ticket for Dutchess County Family Court.
The police are asking that anyone with information on school threats to call the police on the confidential TIPS LINE at 845-451-7577.
