Student Charged In Farmington High School Gun Incident

FARMINGTON, CT — A 14-year-old student from Farmington High School is being detained on criminal charges in connection with reports that a gun was brought to the campus earlier this month, police said.

The arrest of the student came after a false alarm, police said. Police said that, on Dec. 6, FHS administrators sent an email to parents informing them that an investigation into reports of a threat at the school in November was determined to be false and information circulating on social media was inaccurate.

The email, however, prompted an FHS student to report a separate incident involving a student possessing a gun on school grounds on Dec. 3, police said. The student approached a staff member on Dec. 7 and the the 14-year-old student suspected of possessing the firearm has not been at school since Dec. 6, police said.

On Monday, Farmington police arrested the 14-year-old student on charges that include:

• Illegal possession of a weapon on school grounds
• Illegal possession of a weapon in a motor vehicle
• Carrying a pistol without a permit
• Risk of injury to to a minor

Police said the gun has not been recovered and the youth is currently being held in a state juvenile detention center.

"Possession of a firearm on school grounds is a disturbing event and a severe violation of school safety," police said. "However, the investigation did not reveal any threats of gun violence associated with this incident. The Farmington Police Department is working closely with school administrators and has increased its presence at Farmington High School over the past week and will continue with those efforts."

Police said additional police patrols will also monitor Farmington schools throughout town.

"The Farmington Police Department lauds the student who came forward with above information, and, because of this student, we are a safer school community. We also remind everyone to please say something if they see or know anything suspicious," police said.

Police said tips can be given to police via "any responsible adult" or anonymously at 860-675-BITE(2483).

Here is the transcript of the school system letter:

Dear Members of the Farmington School District Community,

Last week, we sent a communication to you regarding an alleged threat at Farmington High School (FHS). After a full investigation, the Farmington Police Department (FPD) determined that the alleged threat was not credible. As a reminder, a non-credible threat is one that has been determined to not be a safety or security risk to the school’s students, faculty and staff.

We now report that the communication sent last week prompted an individual to come forward to share a separate safety concern that was not in any way related to the original concern and did not involve the same individual(s) and/or the same type of concern. In accordance with our safety and security protocols and practices, once we received word of a new safety concern, we immediately alerted the FPD, which promptly conducted a new investigation. In this case, the FPD directed the school district to refrain from communicating any information related to the allegation during the course of their investigation and subsequent law enforcement actions to avoid potential interference with the investigation. As a result of this new investigation, the FPD informed us that they had reached the conclusion of their investigation and that a student at Farmington High School has been arrested today for possession of a weapon (firearm) on school grounds and in a vehicle.

Although there was no evidence of a threat of violence associated with this incident, per the FPD’s investigation, to any individuals, the high school or the Farmington Public Schools more generally, the outcome of the investigation is deeply disturbing and very serious. The student who is alleged to have been in possession of a firearm has not been in school since the safety concern was shared with us. Moreover, any student found in possession of a firearm on or off school grounds must be expelled for up to one calendar year, as required by state and federal law.

We want to reiterate and reinforce that this allegation is not in any way related to the non-credible threat (and the associated individuals) that was communicated on Monday of last week. Although the information shared earlier last Monday was very challenging for all of us, it resulted in a conscientious school citizen coming forward to report firsthand knowledge of a completely different situation that had the potential for posing a significant risk to school safety.

When it comes to school safety and security, we all have a shared responsibility to keep our school communities safe by:

Exhibiting kindness and care for one another;

Being alert to our surroundings;

Immediately reporting firsthand knowledge or information of anything we have seen, heard or experienced that is of concern;

Prompting the school district and law enforcement to follow established protocols and practices to investigate the concern in a timely manner; and

Bringing the investigation and any subsequent actions to a close to ensure the safety and well-being of all members of our school community.

We commend the individuals who came forward to report the safety concern and/or to assist in the investigation. We also thank the FPD for their swift investigation, unwavering support and follow-up action. Moreover, we thank our faculty and staff for your responsiveness and care, as well as our families for your ongoing partnership and understanding. Finally, we are particularly grateful for the FHS students who have exhibited leadership and care for one another during a very challenging time.

Knowing that the FHS community has been through a great deal in recent days, we will continue to have counselors, social workers and psychologists available for support. In addition, extended counseling services will be available through 4:00 p.m. this afternoon and tomorrow. We also ask that you reach out to your child’s counselor, administrator and/or teacher if your child is experiencing increased fear or worry as a result of learning about this issue. FHS school administrators will also address students at FHS to discuss the issue in a special advisory session this afternoon to allow time for faculty, staff and students to process the information and discuss the importance of immediately saying something when one hears, sees or experiences something of concern. In addition, we will be prepared to answer questions or concerns and provide support to our students in all of our schools through our counselors, social workers or psychologists. We want to ensure all members of our school district community receive support that they may find helpful. Lastly, an increased police presence will continue at FHS and additional police patrols will occur across all schools in an effort to alleviate concerns related to this incident.

We are very proud of our school district community. We deeply care for our students, faculty and staff, and we are vigilant in our efforts to maintain safe, inclusive and empathetic school and classroom communities. We ask that you discuss with your child the responsibility we all possess when it comes to social media posts as well as the importance of immediately bringing information about safety and security concerns forward to us and/or the FPD. We have provided some resources for families at the bottom of this communication.

To address questions or concerns from FHS families, we will have a School Safety Community Forum this evening, December 13, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the FHS auditorium.

We also anticipate a press release from FPD will be sent to the Farmington community this afternoon to provide additional information related to their investigation.

Again, we want to thank all members of our school district community for your support, compassion and partnership. Here in Farmington, it is during the most challenging times that we experience the true spirit of generosity, goodness and care for one another exhibited on the part of all members of our community.

Sincerely,

Kathleen C. Greider Scott Hurwitz
Superintendent FHS Principal