Student arrested twice for social media posts

DURHAM — State police charged a student at Coginchaug Regional High School on Thursday for the second time in less than a week for reportedly making threatening posts on Instagram referencing the Florida school shootings.

Another student was charged on Feb. 23 with second-degree breach of peace in connection with a separate incident, during which his social media post caused “annoyance and alarm” and “caused a disruption” at the school, according to a release from police.

State police Troop F in Westbrook received a number of complaints on Thursday, just before 7 p.m. about a male student at Coginchaug Regional High School who allegedly published a threatening post on Instagram.

Authorities say the message, which had been viewed by 200 of his followers, referenced Nicholas Cruz, the suspect in the Parkland school shooting.

Troopers, who met with the student and his parents, said the student confessed to posting photos on Instagram and discussing plans for violence, but claimed he never planned to carry through on the threats.

“The family is deeply saddened by the events that have occurred and are distraught about the impact this has had on other students

and the school community,” Regional School District 13 Superintendent Kathryn Veronesi wrote in a letter to parents. “They have assured me that their child does not currently, nor has ever had, access to firearms. In addition, they further confirmed that their child did not intend to carry out any acts of violence.”

The juvenile was charged with second-degree breach of peace March 1 and additionally March 2 for second-degree breach of peace and second-degree threatening. He is due to be arraigned at Superior Court in Middletown Wednesday.

An investigation into the Feb. 23 incident found no physical threat had been

made, officials said. However, the student was charged with second-degree breach of peace and is scheduled to appear in Middletown court March 14.

In a letter posted on the district’s website, Veronesi said the juvenile is no longer permitted on school property and there will be increased police presence at the high school.

“We are asking that parents and school staff work together with the children for whom we are responsible to address unsafe behaviors and inappropriate communications as soon as adults become aware of such behaviors and/or communications,” she wrote in the statement.

Veronesi also encouraged parents and students to report any threatening behavior or messages or those that make students feel unsafe by calling both 860-349-7200 and Troop F at 860-399-2100.

“The school district also recognizes that members of the school community have been shaken by the recent events in Florida and other incidents of school violence. We want to let parents know that there is support available at each building to address any child who is anxious or fearful for any reason. Requests for support may be made to the building principal and/or counseling staff at the building level,” Veronesi wrote.