Police Investigate Threat Made by Student at Wappinger Junior High

Authorities are investigating a threat made by a 12-year-old student at Van Wyck Junior High School in the Wappinger Central School District, according to local officials.

The East Fishkill Police Department began working with school administrators Monday night after receiving reports that a student had made threatening statements regarding the school.

Detectives conducted interviews with multiple students, including the 12-year-old involved and witnesses. Following their preliminary investigation, police determined that no students were in danger, and there was no reason to keep children from attending the Wappinger Falls school.

This incident follows a troubling pattern of school threats in the region. In February 2022, the Wappingers Central School District dealt with multiple threats at both Roy C. Ketcham High School and Wappingers Junior High School, as reported by the Poughkeepsie Journal. During that period, one threat at Wappingers Junior High was found written in a bathroom, mentioning a shooting would occur at the school.

At that time, Superintendent Dwight Bonk expressed concern about the increasing frequency of threats, noting they had "become incredibly disruptive to the daily operation of our schools."

Police are continuing their investigation into the current threat. School officials emphasize that they take all potential threats seriously and encourage students and community members to report any concerning behavior.