Hoaxer ID'd In Ossining High School Social Media Threat

OSSINING, NY — Ossining police and school district officials announced that the person who posted a threat against Ossining High School on social media has been identified and charged.

"Detectives identified a juvenile from another county, who appears to have no ties to our community, as the author of the snapchat post being shared across our district," said Superintendent Ray Sanchez. "We’re grateful for the quick and efficient work of the Ossining Police Department Detective Division along with their law enforcement partners in helping to restore our sense of safety. Still, school and community safety require partnership from our families and neighbors. Thank you to all of our district families who shared what information they had in an effort to protect our students."

Officials said they were relieved. "On Monday, classes in all of our schools will resume on a regular schedule."

In the snapchat post, the kid said he was coming to OHS Friday to shoot everyone.

SEE: Ossining High School Goes Remote After Social Media Threat

The number of fake threats on social media has skyrocketed this year, Ken Trump, president of National School Safety and Security Services, told Patch. One factor, he said, was that going to school remotely wasn't great for children socially and emotionally.

"Social-emotional stressors are escalating as kids are returning," he said, "and it's showing in the behaviors. ... All of us in the field are agreeing that this year is off the charts."

Issuing a threat—even over social media, via text message, or through e-mail—is a federal crime (threatening interstate communications), according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Those who post or send these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison, or they can face state or local charges. The FBI offered these tips: