Student arrested for threatening to shoot Queens high school; firearm discovered in backpack, according to Mayor Adams.

A 16-year-old student was apprehended on Thursday, shortly after posting a threat on social media aimed at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, New York. This arrest was executed within two hours of the alarming communication, which spurred a rapid response from law enforcement officials. According to Mayor Eric Adams, the incident underscores the effective collaboration between technology and law enforcement in combating potential threats to school safety.

The troubling situation unfolded when the FBI detected a concerning Instagram post at 10:17 a.m., in which the student displayed a school worksheet accompanied by a caption that indicated an intent to inflict harm on the school. This specific social media threat was promptly communicated to the New York Police Department (NYPD), who acted immediately on the intel provided by the FBI. The commissioner of the NYPD, Jessica Tisch, highlighted the details shared by the FBI, including the student’s username, phone number, date of birth, and the location of the post, linking it directly to the school premises.

NYPD officers from the 111th Precinct arrived at the school within a short time frame and located the student without incident. Upon searching the student’s backpack, officers discovered a loaded black 9-millimeter Taurus GX4 semiautomatic handgun containing 13 rounds of ammunition. The student, who does not have a prior criminal record, was arrested at 12:36 p.m., just under two hours after the initial threat was made.

During a press conference following the incident, both Mayor Adams and Commissioner Tisch expressed their relief that the situation did not escalate into a tragedy. Adams stated that their swift action likely averted a disaster that could have resulted in significant loss of life or lifelong consequences for the student. Tisch, drawing upon her own experience as a mother, emphasized the NYPD’s commitment to ensuring the safety of children in schools throughout the city.

The manner in which law enforcement agencies managed this incident stands as an example of proactive measures employed to enhance safety within educational settings. Officials reiterated the importance of vigilance and thorough communication between federal and local agencies in addressing and mitigating threats to public safety. The successful intervention in this particular instance serves as a critical reminder of the potential risks faced by schools and the pressing need for continued awareness and preparedness.