NEWBURYPORT — Lt. Matt Simons reports that a juvenile has been charged in connection with a threat made against Nock Middle School.
On Monday, Sept. 16, at approximately 7:30 p.m., it was reported to Newburyport Police that a threat was made over a social media network regarding a student bringing a gun to school. The Police Department and Newburyport Public Schools take any such report extremely seriously and police immediately started an investigation.
Newburyport Police investigators used resources from the Massachusetts State Police Fusion Center and the FBI to identify the source of the threat and determined that the juvenile involved was not a student in Newburyport schools.
Investigators also determined that the threat was not credible. The reported threat and investigation happened outside of school hours and at no time were students or staff in danger.
From the initial report of the threat on Monday evening, police have worked diligently to resolve this incident. The Police Department and Newburyport Public Schools were in constant contact. The safety of students and the school community has been the highest priority throughout the investigation.
The Newburyport Police Department once again commends those who reported the threat to police. Parents and guardians are urged to have regular conversations with their children regarding appropriate social media use and encourage them to report alarming or threatening behaviors.
“I am grateful for the quick investigative work of Det. Chris McDonald and Sgt. Greg Whitney, who were instrumental in tracking down this threat,” Lt. Simons said. “The seriousness of this type of threat can never be overlooked. The safety of our students and school community will always be top priority.”
(As this case involves a juvenile, the Newburyport Police Department is limited in the release of information and will have no further comment.)
