Story by Clarence Fanto, The Berkshire Eagle. Photo by Ben Garver, The Berkshire Eagle
LENOX — Acting on a social media school violence threat flagged by the FBI, Lenox police removed a Lenox Memorial High School student from the building late Monday morning without incident.
No weapon was found, Schools Superintendent William Collins told The Eagle, and no lockdown was needed. "There is no indication that our school was ever in actual danger today," he stated.
In a message to the school community, Collins cited planning, training and drills with law enforcement "so that we can effectively identify, assess, and address any threats. I am pleased to report that today that is exactly what happened."
Four officers responded within minutes after they were notified at 10:33 a.m., Police Chief Stephen E. O'Brien told The Eagle.
The incident remains under investigation by local police to tie up some loose ends, O'Brien said. Neither he nor Collins disclosed the student's age or grade level, though the police chief confirmed that a high school student was involved.
It was not necessary to evacuate the high school building, O'Brien said. The FBI quickly notified police about the social media post, he said, and the school administration was made aware immediately.
"We knew who we were looking for," he said. "We knew we had to get to that person as soon as we possibly could, we did that and we had the school staff all informed and involved."
O'Brien noted the student was removed rapidly.
"We were able to isolate all of us from the student body as a whole," he said. "This was quick, concise and well-investigated. We did exactly what we trained to do."
Collins suggested that the student did "something stupid that they thought was funny. There was never a real risk and I think this person is going to face the wrath of the community."
The threat was posted on Snapchat, the superintendent noted. In the aftermath of the mass shooting in Winder, Ga., last Wednesday in which two students and two teachers were killed, "it's just horrible timing," he said.
But he said he doubted "the person had any intention that their communication on social media was going to be picked up by the FBI."
As for the consequences, "the person is in emergency removal from the school while the investigation concludes," said Collins. "Once we know more and have a fuller picture, appropriate consequences will be meted out. The parents are incredibly cooperative; they're dismayed as well."
A suspension of a duration to be determined is the expected outcome, he said.
Students were told about the incident through a message from Assistant Principal Marcus Hass. The high school's Building Safety Team met immediately to communicate further to the in-school community.
The student who made the threat was removed and taken to the school office just as their class was being dismissed. "It was right at the time the bell rang, the students came out, and they grabbed the student," Collins said.
"Perhaps this serves as a good reminder that this isn't the sort of thing we joke about," he said. "People are particularly sensitive about school safety, we're all on high alert and this should be a warning that there will be swift consequences. We're not fooling around; it's not a joke."