The Seymour Schools Superintendent and the Seymour First Selectman posted messages on Facebook Thursday evening regarding a police investigation underway at Seymour High School.
There is “no reason to believe there is an ongoing threat” to students, according to school officials.
Seymour police said they are still investigating whether a student suspended Thursday made any threats of violence toward classmates — but so far there’s nothing to substantiate that.
“The Seymour Police Department has been actively investigating reports that the suspended student may have made a potential threat against another student this afternoon. The Seymour Police Department in conjunction with School Administration and Superintendents Office has been working cohesively to investigate any threats made to the student body. At this time, we have been unable to substantiate any threats or violence to any schools,” according to a post on the Seymour Police Department’s Facebook page at 9:39 p.m. Thursday.
What We Know
“Today, a student issue was brought to the Administration’s attention and, with the close cooperation of the Seymour Police Department, we are jointly investigating and containing the situation to insure the continued safe operation of the Seymour schools,” according to a status posted at 9:01 p.m. attributed to schools Superintendent Michael Wilson.
According to First Selectman Kurt Miller, a student who had gotten into trouble — for a rather routine policy violation — at the high school thought some fellow students had snitched on him.
“… he was very vocal about getting back at those kids, and getting them in trouble as well,” Miller posted on the First Selectman’s Facebook page at 9:29 p.m. Thursday.
“He shared a list of students doing what he was in an attempt to get them in trouble as well,” Miller wrote.
The student was charged with a crime, but officials didn’t specify, other than that it was a “non-violent” offense.
The student will not be in class as authorities investigate.
“The heightened police presence at our schools will continue as planned, but this is unrelated to today’s events. After the incident in Florida, a decision was made to increase police presence at all of our schools,” Miller said.
Seymour police said the student has been suspended.
“The Seymour Police Department is asking that if anyone may have additional information or if your child may have firsthand knowledge of any threats, to please contact the Seymour Police Department at 203 – 881-7600,” police said in a statement.
The Facebook Statements
The First Selectman’s complete statement is below:
I was made aware of a situation that took place today at Seymour High School earlier tonight from a post on social media. Being a parent of a child in the Seymour school system, I, like many of you, was extremely concerned with what I was reading especially in light of what has taken place this week in Florida.
I reached out to our Deputy Chief of Police, our School Resource Officer and our Superintendent to find out what exactly took place so I would have a better understanding of the situation and would be able to pass that information along to the community.
Please understand that the student in question is a minor, so some things I am unable to say, but they do not affect the ability to answer the questions that people have.
There was an issue with a student today at Seymour High School for a non-violent related offense. The student was brought to the office and received discipline for it.
The student was upset and thought that he had been snitched on by people who also had been doing what he was. Upon returning to class, he was very vocal about getting back at those kids and getting them in trouble as well. He shared a list of students doing what he was in an attempt to get them in trouble as well.
The student was issued a disciplinary consequence and will not be attending school during the ongoing police investigation. Any further decisions will be made after the investigation is completed.
The student has been charged with a non-violent crime and has a court date pending. In speaking with our School Resource Officer, he is unaware of the student at any point making any threats about shooting up the school.
The heightened police presence at our schools will continue as planned, but this is unrelated to today’s events.
After the incident in Florida, a decision was made to increase police presence at all of our schools. The school administration and the Seymour Police Department take the safety of our children very seriously and have several layers of security in place at each school to protect the kids. Had they felt that our students faced any type of immediate danger, I can assure you that would have been communicated to the parents right away. I have a very strong relationship and level of communication with Superintendent Wilson and Deputy Police Chief Satkowski and have full confidence in their leadership and ability to keep our kids safe.
I feel strongly that they have the situation under control and will provide information as needed to parents at appropriate times. I, as well as them, fully understand the gravity of the situation and the concerns that people have. Both the Seymour Police Department and the Seymour Public Schools will be putting out their own statements, but I wanted to provide everyone an update from my discussions. I will do my best to answer people’s questions but please understand, I might not be able to get to all of them tonight. Thanks……Kurt
The school superintendent’s complete post from Facebook is below.
Good Evening Seymour Public Schools.
I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know there maybe some rumors circulating in the community about an incident at Seymour High School. Considering current issues in Florida, we are keenly aware of the heightened concerns of the public.
While we are not currently at liberty to discuss specifics of the matter, it is important for you to know that there were no injuries of any kind to Seymour students. Any information brought to the School Administration that suggests possible student safety concerns are taken very seriously.
There is nothing more specific to share with you now, other than our thanks that all students remain safe and there is no reason to believe there is any ongoing threat.
Once again, we are doing everything that we can to insure all our students stay safe. We will continue to keep you updated should additional relevant information come available.
Thank you for your support.
Thank you,
Michael Wilson
Miller (the First Selectman) had referred to the investigation in an earlier Facebook post. Several people commenting under Miller’s post were critical for what they described as a lack of information coming from the school district.
A “Seymour Community”-type Facebook group apparently had information before anyone, according to social media posts, but the Facebook group is not open to the public.
The Facebook statement from the Seymour Police Department is posted below:
Today, there was an incident at Seymour High School and a student was in violation of school rules and suspended by the school. This incident did not involve a weapon or any threat to the student body or Seymour School System.
The Seymour Police Department has been actively investigating reports that the suspended student may have made a potential threat against another student this afternoon. The Seymour Police Department in conjunction with School Administration and Superintendents Office has been working cohesively to investigate any threats made to the student body. At this time, we have been unable to substantiate any threats or violence to any schools.
The Seymour Police Department is asking that if anyone may have additional information or if your child may have firsthand knowledge of any threats, to please contact the Seymour Police Department at 203 – 881-7600.
The Seymour Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment for our community. In light of yesterday’s event in Florida, extra patrols have been implemented in and around all schools for enhanced security measures.
