Social media threat closes Norwich schools, juvenile arrested
Norwich — A juvenile was arrested late Thursday night in connection to a social media post that threatened Norwich schools, according to police, as schools across the country were on high alert for threats stemming from TikTok and other social platforms.
Families were notified of the arrest in a Friday night letter from Superintendent of Schools Kristen Stringfellow. She said police had located the student who allegedly posted to the social media platform Snapchat on Thursday night with a reference to a threat and a picture "of what appeared to be a handgun." Multiple students reported the post to their parents, who notified administrators at Teachers Memorial Global Magnet Middle School, according to Stringfellow.
"The image that appeared to be a handgun was an airsoft pistol with a laser (sight) that belonged to this student," she wrote.
Earlier Friday, families were informed all Norwich Public Schools and Norwich Free Academy would be closed due to the threat.
Stringfellow said schools were closed "so that the police could fully investigate this matter" before staff members and students return. She said the posts reported by students were from "someone they believe to be a Norwich Public Schools student."
The superintendent's Friday night letter said police had concluded their investigation and determined the district can "safely resume" classes on Monday.
Capt. James Veiga with the Norwich Police Department said that they, along with police and schools across the nation, were thoroughly investigating any threats. They found one of those threats to be credible, he said, and therefore made the arrest.
Police said the arrest was made about 11:30 p.m. Thursday. They did not say whether it was connected to a Snapchat post, but confirmed it was linked to a threatening social media post. They also did not say what charges the juvenile faces.
The name and age were not released because the student is a juvenile.
Stringfellow said police contacted students involved and visited homes overnight but could not verify whether the threat was credible by 2:30 a.m. Thursday, prompting the closure order.
NFA Head of School Brian Kelly also said Friday morning that school officials were alerted to "some concerning social media posts," and said police are investigating. NFA was closed, also out of an abundance of caution, he said.
Schools nationwide were on high alert Friday due to a viral TikTok trend that spread posts about potential threats to schools. Norwich Public Schools officials initially said Thursday that they were monitoring the trend and there would be added police presence at all schools as a safety measure.
After those reports were made, Stringfellow decided to cancel school. "I was not willing to risk the safety of our students and staff," she said, so closed schools "out of an abundance of caution."
The superintendent in the earlier letter to families also commended the students who reported the threat. "They reacted in the safest way possible and I am extremely grateful to them."
Police said they were keeping an eye on any and all threats reported Friday.
"As they come in, we're investigating each and every one that shows any ties to a Norwich school or student," Veiga said.
Elsewhere in the state, Naugatuck police also made an arrest related to a possible threat, charging a 13-year-old male Thursday night with breach of peace, according to a news release. Police allege he shared a social media post suggesting fellow students stay home from school Friday because of what he might do.
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