FALLSBURG – A student from the Fallsburg Central School District was arrested on Sunday, October 20, after the Fallsburg Police Department responded to a non-specific online threat. 

The incident marks the second time in recent months that law enforcement has dealt with a similar situation, highlighting ongoing concerns over student safety and responsible social media use.

According to a letter sent by Dr. Ivan Katz, Superintendent of the Fallsburg Central School District, the threat was initially brought to the attention of the Fallsburg Police Department by a parent who reported the concerning social media post. The police investigated the matter and determined that the threat was non-credible. Nevertheless, the student who made the post was apprehended.

Fallsburg Police Chief  Brendan Pavese said, “The threat was made through the Snapchat app and referenced the Fallsburg High School. Officers arrested a 12 year old Hurleyville boy and charged him with making a terroristic threat, a felony.”

Chief Pavese said that a shotgun was recovered at the residence and the child was released back to his guardian pending an appearance in Sullivan County Family Court at a later date. 

“Our department will continue to investigate any threat made against our schools not leaving any stone unturned,” added Chief Pavese. 

“The Fallsburg Police Department again made quick work of this investigation to get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible,” wrote Dr. Katz. “Our school community and I continue to owe a debt of gratitude to the Fallsburg Police Department for their vigilance.”

The school district has taken a firm stance on the issue of threats, emphasizing that any such behavior, even if intended as a joke, will be treated with utmost seriousness. 

Dr. Katz said that students found responsible for making threats would face consequences under the school’s Code of Conduct and could also face legal repercussions, stressing that such actions could have long-lasting effects on their lives.

“Threats of any kind are not jokes,” he added. “We continue to live in very challenging times with real acts of violence and ongoing threats of violence taking place around the country. That is why a threat is never a joke.”