Norwalk High Threats Case Involved International Conspirator: PD

NORWALK, CT — Police said they have identified an international conspirator in connection to three hoax threats reported at Norwalk High School over the past week.

Police announced late Wednesday a juvenile was arrested in connection to the incidents.

During a press conference held outside the school Thursday morning, Deputy Chief James Walsh said officers, with the cooperation of Norwalk Public Schools and their IT division, worked tirelessly throughout the night to identify and arrest the juvenile, who police confirmed was a Norwalk resident.

"I think we're all having a collective deep breath this morning that we were able to bring them to justice," Walsh said during the press conference.

He also noted an international conspirator located outside the United States had been identified in connection the the incidents. Police Sgt. Sofia Gulino also confirmed, in an email to Patch, the involvement of an international conspirator.

"Using pre-digital forensics," Walsh said, "we were able to identify [virtual private networks] used internationally, which initially slowed us down in our investigation, but we have identified someone and they're outside the United States."

Police announced late Wednesday night the juvenile had been arrested and charged with first-degree threatening, second-degree threatening, three counts of first-degree falsely reporting an incident, three counts of second-degree breach of peace and three counts of conspiracy.

Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik noted during the press conference the juvenile was arrested at home, and the juvenile's parents were cooperative but surprised. He said the department does not anticipate any further local arrests, however the investigation is still open.

According to Kulhawik, there was never any real threat to the school or community this past week, as all three incidents were determined to be hoaxes.

"Everything was handled very professionally by all, and that's why things went as smoothly as they did," Kulhawik said. "Unfortunately we had to go through this, but considering everything they did the best they could and they did a great job cooperating with the police and making sure everything...and everyone was safe."

Mayor Harry Rilling, who was also in attendance along with Superintendent Alexandra Estrella, thanked police for their due diligence and hard work bringing the case toward closure.

"It shows that, in Norwalk, we are not going to tolerate any actions of this nature," Rilling said, "and we are going to hold those who would do these things...accountable and make sure that we prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

He also thanked Norwalk Public Schools for their cooperation during each incident, and noted the city and police could not have done their job without the district's cooperation.

"Children should not be afraid to come to school," Rilling said. "Parents should not be afraid to send their children to school, and when something like this happens it disrupts everything. So, again, I can't stress strongly enough how we will be holding people accountable if anybody else will be doing this in the future."

Estrella also expressed gratitude toward the Norwalk Police Department and Rilling and his team for their work in this investigation.

"NPD has been incredible in making sure that who is responsible for these acts has been identified," Estrella said, "and now we can continue to move forward in supporting our children."

Both Kulhawik and Rilling hoped the arrest would emphasize the city and its police department will continue to take any similar future incidents very seriously.

"Should this happen again," Kulhawik said, "the same result will occur."

The juvenile's arrest was made hours after officers were notified of a threat of an armed person within the Norwalk High School. According to Police Lt. Joe Dinho, officers quickly secured the facility and placed the school on lockdown while police investigated.

The building was searched and cleared, and students were later dismissed from school around 2:45 p.m. Students at Naramake Elementary School and Nathan Hale Middle School were also asked to remain in their classrooms until dismissal as a precautionary measure, Dinho said.

Wednesday's incident marked the third time in a week a threat had been reported at Norwalk High School, all three of which were deemed hoaxes by police.

See also: FBI To Assist Police In Norwalk High Threat Investigation

• Hoax Bomb Threat Leads To Norwalk High School Evacuation
• 'Hoax' Threat Locks Down Norwalk High School: Police

The school was briefly evacuated the morning of Dec. 1 following an alleged bomb threat. According to Police Sgt. Sofia Gulino, officers and police canine bomb detection teams quickly entered the building and checked for suspicious items before the building was deemed safe and everyone was allowed back inside.

On Friday, the school was locked down with multiple officers present inside the building after receiving a threat that was later deemed to be a hoax, according to police.

Dinho also noted Wednesday police had enlisted the assistance of the FBI to determine the source of the threat.

Rilling said the city's community services department is working closely with Norwalk Public Schools to ensure appropriate support systems are in place.

Anyone with any information regarding these incidents is asked to contact the department's Detective Bureau at 203-854-3011. Anonymous tips can be sent by any of the following means:

• Contact the Norwalk Police Tip Line at 203-854-3111.
• Anonymous Internet tips can be sent to Norwalk Police website at www.norwalkpd.com.
• Anonymous text tips can be submitted by typing "NORWALKPD" into the text field, followed by the message, and sending it to TIP411 (847411).

A video of Thursday's press conference can be viewed in full on the Norwalk Police Department Facebook page.