Rye Student Holding Gun in Social Post Investigated
A Rye student and the student’s parents were questioned by police Thursday morning after the student appeared in a social media post “holding what appeared to be a handgun”.
It was determined the student did not pose a threat and that the gun in the posting was fake. The student is not being allowed on campus pending “an internal investigation by administration”.
The full school notice follows.
From: RCSD Communications
Date: Thu, Jun 2, 2022 at 9:13 AM
Subject: Concerning Social Media Post
To: Rye City School District Recipients
Dear RCSD Community,
Early this morning, the school district was notified of a concerning social media post. The post contained a video of a teenage student from one of our schools holding what appeared to be a handgun. There was no threat made in the posting, but the presence of a gun was highly disturbing.
Upon receiving this information, we immediately contacted the Rye Police Department which initiated an investigation in collaboration with our school administration. The student and the parents were subsequently questioned by police and it was determined that the student did not pose a threat to our schools. The gun depicted in the social media image was determined to be fake and inoperable. The student has been barred from entering the school grounds pending an internal investigation by administration.
Please be aware that all comments or images that suggest any kind of threat to the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff are taken seriously. We will immediately engage the Rye Police Department in the investigation and consequences will be significant, even if the posts are meant to be humorous and/or are deemed as not credible. The Rye City School District recognizes the need to be transparent regarding incidents that may impact our school community. Please be assured we will always act out of an abundance of caution to ensure all our students, faculty, and staff are safe both inside and outside of our buildings.
We need the assistance of the entire community as we strive to provide the safest possible learning environment. Here is what you can do:
Immediately report any concern to the school district and police department. Please call, send an email or use the anonymous reporting system of the Rye PD: https://www.ryeschools.org/domain/939 or https://www.ryeny.gov/government/police-department
Please speak to your student(s) about their actions on social media. A post that may seem funny may lead to significant school discipline and/or criminal charges.
Please also speak with your student(s) about reporting any concerning post to you, the school administration, or the Rye PD immediately. Every concerning post or statement must be fully investigated.
I wish to thank The Rye Police Department for their assistance this morning. Commissioner Kopy, Lieutenant Anfuso, and Detective Caputo acted immediately and collaborated fully with the school district to bring a swift conclusion to the investigation. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Eric Byrne, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
