Superintendent Pam Beaudoin, Manchester-by-the-Sea Police Chief Todd Fitzgerald, and Essex Police Chief Paul Francis report to the community that police and school officials are investigating a threat made to harm others at the Manchester Essex Regional Middle High School.
A suspect was quickly identified Monday night through aggressive, diligent investigative work. Officials no longer believe that there is any active threat against the school community.
Manchester and Essex Police received reports on Monday, April 3, at 11:45 p.m. regarding a teenager who was making ominous and threatening statements and posts on social media, making threats to harm others with firearms and harm themselves.
The suspect was identified and is now receiving appropriate support and services.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Superintendent Beaudoin and Chiefs Fitzgerald and Francis wish to thank the individuals who reported the threatening language to the proper authorities.
There will be an increased police presence at schools in Manchester and Essex on Tuesday out of an abundance of caution.
Consistent with the procedures in place to respond to school threats, Manchester and Essex Police and School Resource Officer Andrea Locke have been in constant contact with school district leaders. The policies and procedures in place to respond to and address possible threats were followed.
“We take all threats against our school community seriously. Our leadership team at the Middle High School responded immediately and collaborated with the Manchester and Essex Police Departments,” Superintendent Beaudoin said. “Our strong relationships with our public safety partners ensures that we have a timely and integrated response to any possible threat. Thank you to the Manchester and Essex Police Departments for their work in quickly identifying a possibly threat and working to keep us safe in our schools.”