Threat Against Concord High School Posted On Snapchat

CONCORD, NH — Concord High School received a “school safety” threat last night that was investigated by Concord Police today. The threat – which was reportedly posted on Snapchat, a social media network where postings appear for a short time and then, disappear – warned of an incident on Feb. 23, 2018, at the school. CHS Principal Tom Sica sent a letter to parents and guardians this morning alerting them to the threat, advising that extra security was in place, and that the school would remain open.

“We appreciate the see something – say something willingness of our students to make us aware,” he noted. “Given the times, we know that this a vital strategy to be a safe school.”

The threat featured a graphic of Nikolas Cruz, the alleged Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooter in Florida, posted at around 7:15 p.m. last night, with the writing, “My brother did not do enoughshoorting (sic) but I will do better than him on Friday at concord (sic) High School.” The graphic was shared on social media with other students and school officials were alerted about it not long afterward.

School Superintendent Terri Forsten reported this afternoon that both police and the district have worked together to complete an investigation quickly and resolve safety concerns. The New Hampshire State Police also assisted with the investigation.

“We are appreciative to everyone who came forward and shared information to support our investigation,” she noted in an email. “No weapons were recovered, nor is there evidence that the juvenile suspect had access to weapons. We understand the concerns from our parents and community members for our schools to be safe. We are pleased to be able to confirm that we are confident that the preliminary investigation has been resolved peacefully.”

The parties allegedly involved in the threat were juveniles, she said, and the investigation is ongoing. Any charges will be referred to juvenile court.

In the wake of the Florida incident, which killed 14 students and three teachers and coaches, school officials and police are taking all kinds of precautions to address potential threats. Schools and police officers in Concord have been irregularly holding training and drills for a number of years, in an effort to be prepared for any kind of incident.

At about this time last year, a number of schools across New Hampshire were hit by various threats including bombing and shooting threats. In December 2015, Concord High School officials found a threat scrawled on a bathroom wall. Another threat was reported in March 2016. A few months later, the Bow High School was evacuated due to a bomb threat while Portsmouth High School also received a threat. Bomb threats were reported in Keene and Nashua. A couple of days later, more threats were reported in Manchester, Pembroke, and Portsmouth. In December 2016, Oyster River High School was placed in lockdown and classes were dismissed after a threat was found on a bathroom wall. Numerous threats during the past few years have also been reported at Pembroke Academy, including bomb threats and lockdowns. Officials have also been training in that community to be prepared.

Around the state during the last week, there have been a rash of incidents.

Classes were cancelled earlier this week in Weare and Henniker due to threats that were later discovered to be unfounded. High school students in Somersworth and Epping were arrested yesterday for alleged threats they made that closed schools, according to press reports. Rochester officials held a lockdown drill at the middle school earlier today, officials noted on Twitter.

Image of CHS via Tony Schinella, Patch staff; threat graphic submitted to Patch.