Threat of Gun Violence at LI High School Homecoming Party: Police

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — A Bridgehampton teen was arrested after posting a threat on Snapchat about possible gun violence at Southampton High School's homecoming after-party Saturday, police said.

According to Southampton Village Police, on Saturday at 9:34 p.m., police received a call from security personnel at Southampton High School regarding a potential threat of violence reported to be carried out at the school's homecoming after-party, which approximately 110 students attended.

The school was placed on “lockout," meaning that no one could enter or leave the building until the threat could be properly assessed, police said.

The threat was brought to the attention of school security by a student at approximately 9:25 p.m. and involved a post on Snapchat of three males in a vehicle posing with what appeared to be an AR-15 assault rifle and stating, “Pull up to after homecoming SH” while brandishing the weapon, police said.

Students were systematically dismissed from the school to their families under the supervision of police and school security without any issues; the building and street were reopened at approximately 10:49 p.m., police said.

More than 20 officers, including the New York State Police and Southampton Town Police, equipped with AR-15 rifles and two K-9 units, assisted the Southampton Village Police in securing a perimeter around the campus and closing off the entire street, police said.

At 11:56 p.m., Kevin S. Chavez, 19, of Bridgehampton, was arrested on Oak View Highway in East Hampton, police said.

Police also recovered a replica AR-15, which turned out to be a Sig Sauer airgun, at a residence off of Three Mile Harbor Road in East Hampton; the airgun was the weapon that Chavez threatened to use via Snapchat, police said.

Chavez was charged with third degree falsely reporting an incident, a misdemeanor; he was processed, released on a desk appearance ticket, and transported to Stony Brook University Hospital for a psychological evaluation, police said.

The investigation is still ongoing and anyone with any additional information is asked to call the Southampton Village Police Department at 631-283-0056.

Photo via Southampton Village Police.