DERBY — A 14-year-old Derby High School student was charged with first-degree threatening after allegedly posting a threatening video to SnapChat.
The student’s name is not available to the public under state law because he is a minor.
The referral to the juvenile justice system comes after Derby High School and Derby Middle School were put on lockdown Tuesday. The lockdown was lifted after police determined the school community was not in danger.
The lockdown happened because a student alerted staff of a video from SnapChat.
In the video, a student wearing a mask while holding a weapon warned students not to come to school. Police Wednesday morning the weapon was an airsoft gun.
Police had initially said Tuesday that a preliminary investigation was unable to determine whether the SnapChat threat was directed at Derby High School or had originated from a student at the school. Police also noted that students were less than cooperative in the police investigation.
However, that changed later in the afternoon Tuesday, Lt. Justin Stanko told The Valley Indy Wednesday morning.
During police interviews with parents present, the students shared more information with police. That information helped police develop a suspect.
Police were able to match clothes the suspect was wearing in the video with the 14-year-old student, and filed charges against the teen at about 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Stanko said. School administrators assisted in the identification as well.
The airsoft gun allegedly featured in the 14-year-old’s SnapChat video was found at the teen’s residence.
Juvenile court proceedings are closed to the public. Disciplinary actions taken against students are also closed to the public by state and federal law.
