Source of Graphic, Racist Email Under Investigation In Enfield

ENFIELD, CT — Police and school officials are investigating the source of an apparent hack into a student's account on the Enfield Public Schools email system, which resulted in a graphic, racist email being distributed to hundreds of student, staff and town employees over the weekend.

In a message to the school community Sunday, Superintendent of Schools Chris Drezek said police and school officials are working with the information technology department in "actively investigating the origins of this message. We apologize for anyone who was in receipt of this message, and ask that you please do not click on the link that is embedded in this message. Please understand that this investigation is ongoing, and although we do not know where it originated from at the moment, we are doing everything we can to find out. We will send out more information when we are able."

Enfield police Detective Lt. Willie Pedemonti said the account from which the email was generated had been hacked, and that the disturbing message did not actually come from the student whose account had been compromised.

School officials expressed concern about inappropriate responses produced by some students in reaction to the email.

"We want to commend all the students and parents who reported the disturbing email and expressed their disgust with the hateful language that was used," Enfield High School principal Erin Clark wrote in a message to the school community. "While we are grateful to all who alerted us to yesterday’s concerns in a timely manner; we are also disappointed that a few of our students 'replied all' to comments in inappropriate ways.

"Our administrative team is actively investigating these comments and will address any concerns. In the meantime, students should refrain from 'replying all' to any large email chains. Students should continue to report any inappropriate communications to building administration. If you find yourself part of such a chain, please forward the thread to building administration and then delete the thread. Do not click on any links or attachments in any suspicious emails."

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