Snapchat Gun Video Leads to Arrest of Darien High Student: PD

DARIEN,CT- A 16-year-old Darien High School student was arrested after police were made aware of a short video posted on social media of him apparently wielding a handgun while issuing taunts.

The school resource officer assigned to the high school was made aware of the social media Snapchat video on March 4. The video showed a young white male with his face partially obscured by a bandanna. He was wielding the gun and made unspecific taunts, police said.

The SRO was able to identify a student who may have had some involvement with the video. The student became combative and was transported to police headquarters. The video wasn't filmed at the high school.

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More information was gathered that led police to a 16-year-old Stamford resident. Police learned that the subject in the video was the Darien student, police said. They also learned the gun was real.

Police gained voluntary consent to search the home of the Darien student and the Stamford teen. Police didn't find the weapon at either home and search efforts will continue.

“This investigation is receiving the highest priority," said Darien Police Chief Duane Lovello. "I have been in close contact with Dr. Dan Brenner, Superintendent of Schools to ensure a timely exchange of information necessary to keep students, school staff, and parents aware of what information we do have. There is nothing to suggest
that any criminal act was being planned."

The Darien student was charged with breach of peace, making a false statement and interfering with police. He was remanded to the Bridgeport Juvenile Youth Detention Facility.