The 19-year-old accused of posting an online threat promising a "hail of bullets" against East Lyme schools in December applied Tuesday morning in New London Superior Court for a diversionary program for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Tyler A. McKenzie of 49 Cubles Drive, East Lyme, has been free on a $25,000 bond and under house arrest and electronic monitoring since he was charged Dec. 31, 2014, with first-degree threatening and second-degree breach of peace.

Standing before Judge Omar A. Williams with defense attorney Michael A. Blanchard, McKenzie quietly answered a series of questions the judge posed to ensure he understands the conditions of the psychiatric accelerated rehabilitation program. 

Blanchard provided the court with a report on a neuro-psychological evaluation McKenzie underwent while the case was pending.

The state will conduct a mental health evaluation of McKenzie over the next six weeks and is expected to submit the results to the court by July 14, when McKenzie returns to court. If the judge grants the program and McKenzie fulfills the requirements, the charges against him would be dismissed. If he does not succeed, the state could continue to prosecute.

A 2014 graduate of East Lyme High School, McKenzie was attending the University of Connecticut last fall when, police said, on Dec. 23 he posted and then removed an anonymous threat on the social media site Yik Yak. The post said, "East Lyme better get ready for the hail of bullets I've been bullied to [sic] long and after break I'm going to let all my anger out."

A local resident took a screen shot of the threat within 20 minutes of the posting and notified police. When an officer went to the site, the post had been removed, according to a court document. Tracked down in the days following the posting, McKenzie said he had no intention of carrying out the threat.

Police said McKenzie had no prior criminal record and no access to firearms. During a search of police records, police discovered that McKenzie had been a victim of an assault while at East Lyme High School in March 2012.

School authorities canceled several sporting events at the high school while police investigated. When school reopened after the holiday break, students returned to an increased police presence and new security procedures, including backpack checks.

k.florin@theday.com

Twitter: @KFLORIN