Fallsburg Central School District Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz said that a person was arrested after making threats to the school on Friday, September 20, 2024. The threats, which mentioned a potential shooting, circulated primarily on Snapchat.
According to Fallsburg Police Chief Brendan Pavese, the suspect, a 12-year-old, was charged with making a terroristic threat, a felony offense. “The suspect has been released into their parents’ custody and will appear in family court at a later date,” Pavese said.
“Parents, students, and staff who saw something on social media and had the presence of mind to say something brought this to our attention,” Katz added.
The Fallsburg Police Department worked with the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department, and the New York State Police to investigate the threats.
Though Snapchat was the main platform used, the threats also spread across Instagram and Facebook.
Dr. Katz said he was thankful to local law enforcement. “The Police Department worked around the clock… Our school community and I are extremely grateful for their commitment to resolving these threats so quickly,” he said.
Dr. Katz also pointed out that this situation reflects the unfortunate reality schools across the nation now face. He said that the district and police take a “zero tolerance” stance on all threats, whether vague or specific.
Fallsburg joins a growing list of districts nationwide dealing with violent incidents. Recently, a tragic mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, claimed the lives of two 14-year-old students and two teachers, leaving several others injured.
“I’m deeply thankful for the vigilance of our school community. This cooperation is essential to keeping each other safe,” Dr. Katz said.
Image by: Fallsburg Central School District