Shooting Threat At West Babylon School Sparks Remote Classes: PD

WEST BABYLON, NY — Two threats to West Babylon Senior High School that prompted remote learning Friday are currently under investigation, Suffolk County Police said.

According to police, a male posted a threat on the social media app Snapchat on Thursday. The post appeared to show the student with a gun and the words "I'll start shooting, I hate that school", according to News12.

Officers responded to the male’s residence, and determined it was a BB gun, police said. Law enforcement confiscated the BB gun, police said, and the male was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

In a letter addressed to the community, superintendent Yiendhy Farrelly wrote that a second social media threat was made to the school on Thursday evening. Police are investigating if the threats are related.

"The use of social media offers tremendous personal, professional, and educational benefits; however, it also brings with it serious concerns and the potential to create harmful repercussions," Farrelly wrote to parents. "Please take this time to speak with your children about the consequences of their words and actions when using social media."

The threats came one day after Farrelly wrote a letter addressing reported anonymous posts of sexual harassment allegations within the school. An student walkout was reportedly planned for Friday, Farrelly wrote.

"Again it is imperative that any and all concerns, allegations of assault, harassment, misconduct or inappropriate behavior or other wrongdoing, be reported to a member of the administration team so that we can immediately investigate it with families and the local authorities, " Farrelly wrote. "We must work together to ensure that our schools and community are a safe place for our students."