Staples Student Had Thoughts Of Committing Mass Shooting: Police

WESTPORT, CT — Police said Staples High School was dismissed early Tuesday out of an "abundance of caution" after a student allegedly expressed having thoughts of executing a mass shooting, according to media reports. The student is currently in custody and being evaluated by a medical facility, police said.

According to NBC Connecticut, police said they were called to the school after a student was allegedly overheard making threats to shoot a teacher. The teen was subsequently interviewed by school officials, who told police the student expressed having thoughts of executing a mass shooting at the school, police said.

Police said detectives subsequently found firearms at the student's home belonging to his father, which were locked in a safe, according to NBC Connecticut. Officers were subsequently placed at all Westport schools until dismissal as a precaution, police said.

According to Westport News, police said at a press conference Tuesday afternoon that officers had confiscated firearms as part of the investigation, and more weapons may be located at a location out of state. Police said they are still investigating the situation.

An email sent to parents by Superintendent of School Coleen Palmer said students would be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. and all after-school activities were cancelled, according to Westport News. The email also said there was no known threat at the time, however students and staff were asked to shelter in place until dismissal.

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