MASSENA – A report of a shooter Wednesday morning at Massena Central High School turned out to be a different kind of shooter – a small alcohol bottle called a “shooter.”
Incidents were also reported Wednesday in the Ogdensburg City School District and the St. Lawrence-Lewis Board of Cooperative Educational Services.
In a message to families, Massena Central High School officials said there was an anonymous report of a shooter at the high school around 10:25 a.m.
“The school immediately enacted its established emergency protocols. The students who made the report were quickly located. At the same time, the student identified as the ‘shooter’ was identified, located and searched by the School Resource Officer. After searching the student and further questioning the reporting students, the student was found to be in possession of a small bottle of alcohol, which was identified as the ‘shooter.’ The reporting students stated that they had spoken of this and not that the student had a weapon,” they said.
They said there was no shooter or firearms at the high school.
“I commend the individuals who quickly reported what they heard. This enabled the School Resource Officer and administration to take immediate action to ensure the safety of students and staff,” they said. All normal activities are now resuming.”
Meanwhile, reports of threats at Ogdensburg City School District and St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES school facilities and surrounding facilities are also unfounded, school officials said.
Ogdensburg City Schools Superintendent Kevin K. Kendall said in an email that the school district “has been made aware of a situation related to a social media threat by a student at John F. Kennedy Elementary.”
The student is currently in the custody of the Ogdensburg City Police Department and was never in possession of a weapon on school property,” he said. “We know this information may be upsetting, but the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. We are working with the Ogdensburg Police Department regarding the situation and will provide updates as needed.”
The St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES administration also informed employees and families of a “hoax threat.”
“The St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES administration was notified this evening of a social media post threatening violence against BOCES. The New York State Police were immediately notified and began investigating the reports. We have been notified by the State Police that this is believed to be a hoax as it is the same message that was circulated in Western New York earlier today. The State Police also indicated that law enforcement is looking into it,” they said.
They said they were grateful that the incident was reported immediately and police were able to investigate.
“I know this information may be distressing to staff families, but the safety of our students and staff is our top priority. As a community, I encourage you to pay close attention to such releases and report to authorities any circumstances you believe may be dangerous. We have a strong partnership with the New York State Police Department, who always supports us and responds quickly to all of our inquiries,” the administration said.
