NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- The largest Catholic high school in Queens is set to have its students be required to return to in-person learning less than two weeks after disturbing threats were made toward students and staff, and without a person being caught for the act.
The perpetrator threatened to plant “five different bombs” at St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows, and put another bomb near dean’s office so he could “kill all them f---ers” according to a social media post, while another post said “everyone will feel my wrath.”
In the posts, a rifle and a pistol were shown in front of a computer that was on the school’s website. Posts also tagged specific students' accounts.
Other posts used racist and homophobic slurs, and proclaimed “none of you guys took me seriously last time … you cannot stop me.”
On Jan. 15, school principal Pat McLaughlin told families that police immediately investigated the posts and the school, but found there was “no imminent threat.”
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“We understand the concerns regarding some students' social media accounts being tagged in some of these posts are unsettling. We are confident such students are not associated with the person who created the threat,” said McLaughlin in the Jan. 15 e-mail.
Despite the message from cops finding no devices in a search of the school, classes were remote for a week, and the school building was closed to students.
In an email to school families Tuesday, McLaughlin thanked students and staff for their cooperation over the past days before saying that a remote option would not be allowed after Wednesday, except for COVID-19-related reasons.
“We expect all students, except those quarantined, to be in school in person starting Thursday, Jan. 27,” said McLaughlin. “We believe it will be in everyone’s best interest to return to normal as soon as we can.”
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McLaughlin said in the letter that they are still working with police to identify who is behind the threats. He asked those who might still not want to return to contact their guidance counselor. They added that anyone who is remote on Thursday and beyond couldn’t participate in after-school activities.
“We will continue to screen everyone entering the building. Students must continue to have a clear backpack or use a clear plastic bag for any items they bring,” McLaughlin said.
“We believe having students in school for their learning is in the best interests of everyone’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual well-being,” he went on to say.
Police said Wednesday that there was no update in the case.