Dear Salamanca Community,
I want to provide an update to the community on the events of yesterday at the Highland Avenue playground and today’s school closure. As a recap, yesterday evening at 8:45 pm, the Salamanca Police Department notified the District of a what was believed to be a credible threat directed at students attending the Salamanca City Central School District by three or four individuals. Any threat made against the District or its students is taken extremely seriously.
The District has been working closely with both the Salamanca Police Department and the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Department to identify the students involved and provide additional supports. Both law enforcement agencies should be commended for their prompt and thorough investigation and inter-agency cooperation.
Law enforcement’s investigation is ongoing.
The safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff is our main priority. As such I can confirm the following facts as we now understand them regarding the incident of September 19th:
- The threat was made off school grounds.
- A verbal threat was made by 2 students not 4 students as originally reported. It has been confirmed there was not a threat made by either student to bring a weapon(s) into school.
- The verbal threat referenced using a weapon (gun). The Salamanca Police Department has informed the District the weapon was not a firearm but an airsoft pistol. Early this morning, this item has been verified and has been secured.
- The timing of the incident along with the lack of the parties’ cooperation with law enforcement’s investigation dramatically elevated the credibility of the threat into the late evening of Sunday, September 19th and the early morning hours of Monday, September 20th.
- Law enforcement has determined and advised that the threat of violence with a weapon is not credible, and that school can resume.
- Further action, criminal or legal, may be pending. All inquiries regarding such actions are referred to SPD.
- Additional school disciplinary action will occur in accordance with our School District policy and Code of Student Conduct. District personnel will not discuss any disciplinary action that will be taken publicly.
- The District will resume regular classes, and scheduled activities tomorrow, September 21st.
Mr. Breidenstein
Superintendent