School Threats in Schenectady, Warren, and Montgomery Counties
Minors Make Threats on Social Media
In Scotia, Schenectady, and Queensbury, minors allegedly posted threats toward school districts on social media. The threats were made on TikTok and Snapchat, with one saying "I’m gonna shoot up your school" and another saying "I’m shooting the school tomorrow." All the threats were traced back to the kids’ homes.
Law Enforcement Response
Sheriff Jeff Smith of Montgomery County explained that law enforcement goes to the residence of the individual who made the threat to check if they have the ability to carry out the threat. "We go to the residence all the time to check and see if this individual has the ability to carry out this threat," said Sheriff Smith.
Guns Seized from Homes
Two of the kids who live in Schenectady County have parents who are gun owners. The parents voluntarily gave up three firearms to the police. However, when law enforcement finds guns and parents do not hand them over, they can apply for an extreme risk protection order to take them from their homes.
Apprehension and Charges
In another threat, a parent told police that her son also made a threat online and was quickly apprehended at school. The sheriff says that the charges the minors are facing range from misdemeanors to felonies. Law enforcement warns that these threats, whether they are pranks or jokes, have severe consequences.
Conclusion
The sheriff advises that people should never share threats posted on social media and instead report them to police. "By sharing it, it adds more fuel to the fire, it creates more panic and it makes it more difficult for us to find the origin," said Sheriff Smith.
FAQs
Q: What is the response of law enforcement to school threats?
A: Law enforcement goes to the residence of the individual who made the threat to check if they have the ability to carry out the threat.
Q: What happens if parents do not hand over guns found by law enforcement?
A: Law enforcement can apply for an extreme risk protection order to take the guns from their homes.
Q: What are the charges faced by the minors who made the threats?
A: The charges range from misdemeanors to felonies.
Q: What is the advice of the sheriff regarding social media threats?
A: The sheriff advises that people should never share threats posted on social media and instead report them to police.
