Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Police Department made an arrest of a 15-year-old male on Wednesday after he made a school threat on social media. A loaded weapon was recovered after the execution of a search provision.
The FBI’s Buffalo office and the Buffalo Police Threat Management Unit were alerted to a threatening social media post, immediately sending detectives and federal agents into an investigation. Officials were then led to a house on the 900 block of Sycamore Street.
Following interviews, an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) with a search provision was obtained. During the court authorized search, an Escort Model Bulltac 12 gauge shotgun loaded with five rounds was recovered, along with additional ammunition.
Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia says the alert of the social media threat, which was published on Discord, came from the FBI’s Atlanta office. The threat was related to the individual saying he would shoot up a kindergarten class at no specific school in Buffalo.
The 15-year-old is said to be a student of Buffalo Public Schools. The district was notified of the arrest so they can take appropriate action with this incident.
The 15-year-old male has been charged with one count of Making a Threat of Mass Harm (Class "B" misdemeanor).
During the search, detectives and federal agents came across a large amount of marijuana. A separate search warrant was obtained and 14 pounds of marijuana was seized.
Saeed Saeed, 18, of Buffalo has been charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Cannabis in the First Degree (Class "D" felony) and one count of Failure to Safely Store Firearms in the First Degree (Class "A" misdemeanor).
Gramaglia says neither the 15-year-old or his 18-year-old sibling were on the radar of Buffalo Police or other officials in the past.
Buffalo Police encourages anyone to report suspicious comments or activity by calling or texting the confidential tip-line at (716)-847-2255.