Criminal charges possible for false reporting at Fairport High School

Fairport, NY – Criminal charges may be filed after an anonymous threat against Fairport High School was shared on social media Thursday.

The district posted an update on its website and said it was working with local law enforcement.

School leaders said they concluded the post was a local threat that was similar to a wave of hoaxes targeting schools across the country.

There is no information yet on whether any suspects have been identified.

The district’s full statement reads:

Thank you for your cooperation and support as the district continues to investigate the social media threat against Fairport High School that circulated this morning.

Currently, our law enforcement partners are working closely with county administrators. The investigation so far suggests the social media post was published locally as a copycat threat, similar to a wave of hoaxes that have targeted schools and districts across the country in recent weeks. There is no information to suggest this was ever a credible threat, but law enforcement continues to investigate.

Please note that due to the severity of this incident and the disruption to our school environment, the district will take action to the fullest extent possible and will cooperate with investigators to pursue criminal charges.

Members of local, county and state law enforcement are strong partners and were present on and around the Fairport High School campus today to interact with students and staff and ensure our school community is protected. District security teams have been alert and vigilant across all of our facilities, working hand-in-hand with officials to ensure the safety of our students and staff. We are grateful for the partnerships that enable this type of efficient and effective response – it is a credit to our community to invest in these support networks.

I also want to thank the students and families who contacted Fairport High School administration and district staff early this morning to share their concerns about the threat. Their actions are evidence that Fairport’s culture of “See Something, Say Something” is strong. Please note that the Safe Schools Hotline can be reached at any time through our district website or by calling 1-800-418-6423 ext. 359 (follow the instructions). You can also text 614-426-0240 and enter “TIPS” to begin the reporting process.

Please take some time this evening to talk to your students about their experiences today and the role we all play in keeping our schools safe. If you have additional questions or concerns, or need to further address this incident, please contact your Site Manager or Safety Coordinator Sam Farina at 585-421-8420.

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