Edelman helps close in on Mich. school threat
Fan alerted Patriot to troubling Instagram post
Julian Edelman made another nice catch when he became alarmed about a kid threatening to shoot up his Michigan middle school.
The New England Patriots receiver, who was out all last season with a busted knee, was alerted to the troubling comment on his Instagram account last month by a fan, his agents told the Herald last night.
Edelman quickly notified his assistant here in Boston and she then found the threat on the social media site and called city police.
The line that startled the receiver and his aide stated: “I’m going to shoot my school up watch the news.”
That assistant told the Herald she’s delighted with the “very happy ending.”
Sgt. John Boyle, spokesman for Boston police, praised Edelman for his quick reaction — this time off the football field.
“In today’s world, everyone needs to take threats seriously,” Boyle said. “It was a great job by him.”
Boyle said BPD detectives traced the comment to Port Huron, Mich., and quickly called police there who “jumped right on it.”
A 14-year-old boy in that city was taken to a juvenile detention center, where he remains, according to The New York Times. The paper added that two rifles belonging to the teen’s mother were also found. He was charged with making a false report of a threat of terrorism.
Edelman’s agents in Los Angeles said the fan who came upon the troubling entry deserves all the praise.
“Julian wants to thank the individual on his social media account who alerted Julian and his staff to this alleged threat. This individual’s thoughtfulness and awareness may have helped avert another tragedy,” wrote Shantal Lamelas, spokeswoman for Yee & Dubin Sports LLC.
“Julian is very grateful for the quick action of law enforcement authorities in Massachusetts and Michigan, and he thanks all law enforcement for their efforts in helping all of us become more aware and vigilant,” Lamelas added.
The threat came just over a month after 17 students and staffers were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
Everybody involved in the story — including Edelman, his assistant, police and the agents — all said the heartache from the Parkland attack was still fresh on their minds.
Michigan police said the teen’s threat was directed at a middle school he attended nearby.
Edelman said he’s going to reward the Instagram follower who alerted him with a care package. He may have saved lives with that screen grab.