HAMDEN, Conn. (WTIC Radio) - Two teenage students from Eli Whitney Technical High School were placed under arrest Tuesday, according to state police, after authorities investigated two separate threats directed at the school that were found on social media.
Between Monday and Tuesday, authorities were made aware of two threats posted to Instagram, resulting in the arrest of two 14-year-old boys, Sgt. Dawn Pagan with the Connecticut State Police public information office said.
A parent reported the threat found on Monday, Pagan said. The threat made reference to bullying, she said, and possibly indicated that the person who made the threat was a victim of bullying.
Eli Whitney Tech students reported the second threat found on Tuesday to the school principal who then brought it to the attention of Connecticut State Police, Pagan said.
The two arrested boys are facing charges of Threatening in the first degree and Breach of Peace in the second degree. The suspect connected to the first threat is facing an additional charge of Intimidation Based on Bigotry and Bias in the third degree.
Both are set to appear in New Haven Juvenile Court Wednesday morning, Pagan said.
According to Interim Superintendent of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) Dr. Ellen Solek, both students are suspended from the school for ten days. School officials are also considering expulsion, she said.
Deeming the threats a hoax along with many other school-related threats made across Connecticut, particularly in New Haven County, state police, education and state officials are raising the alarm about a recent social media trend that is taking place nationwide.
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The trend essentially calls for students to create a situation that will get them dismissed from school, Pagan said.
State police and officials are warning students that these threats are taken very seriously. Education officials are also urging parents and students to remain vigilant and to report anything suspicious.
Police presence will be increased at Eli Whitney Tech on Wednesday. An increased police presence is also anticipated across many schools in Connecticut following the recent threats, state officials said.