UPDATE, 11:59 a.m.
A juvenile in Arkansas posted the threat that caused Darien High School to be closed Tuesday, and that juvenile is being questioned, Darien Police Chief Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. said in an 11:35 a.m. email.
“[A]fter school athletics will run as scheduled,” Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne said in an announcement emailed at 11:42 a.m. Darien police will increase patrolling near schools and at homecoming events in the next few days, Byrne said.
“Darien Detectives, collaborating with Meta Platforms Inc., the FBI, and the Connecticut Intelligence Center, were able to trace the account to the juvenile and we are now working with Arkansas Law Enforcement,” Marron wrote. “Currently there is no known credible threat to any school in Darien. As this investigation continues, we will provide an update if necessary.”
The threat was posted on Instagram, Marron said.
Marron added:
“I would also like to use this opportunity to remind the general public that anything that effectively resembles a threat or potential threat to our schools or in fact appears to be a compromise to the safety of our children, will not only elicit an immediate response by our agency, but without exception will be dealt with thoroughly and under the full authority of law.”
In his 11:42 email, Byrne said: “I recognize that incidents like this are very troubling and may elicit an emotional response, therefore do not hesitate to contact a counselor or mental health clinician at any of our schools should your child need support.
“Our emergency notification system uses current contact information. Please log onto Aspen and be sure that all of your contact information is updated. It is essential that we have accurate contact information for all of our families.
“Given today’s situation, Darien PD will continue to have additional patrols in and around all Darien schools and at homecoming events over the next few days. Thank you for your patience, understanding and support.”
Original headline, 10:45 a.m.: A ‘Threatening Social Media Post’ Delays, then Cancels School Day for Darien High, Superintendent Says
After a “threatening social media post” initially led to a two hour delay in the Darien High starting time Tuesday morning, the DHS school day was canceled by Interim Schools Superintendent Eric Byrne “out of an abundance of caution.”
“Once we have more information from the Darien Police, we will inform the community and provide an update regarding DHS extracurricular activities and athletics,” Byrne said in an 8:30 a.m. emailed announcement. In an earlier email, sent at 7:29 a.m., Byrne had announced the school would open two hours late.
“All other Darien Schools will be open on a regular schedule and run extracurricular activities as planned,” he said.
Police Chief Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. said Patrol and Detective Divisions were investigating and working with school officials.
Extra patrols would be at the high school and other schools, Byrne said. Marron said, “Our staff will be patrolling and visible at all of our schools throughout the day as a precaution.”
“While we do not believe the threat is credible,” Byrne said (in his 8:30 email), “we must be patient while the Darien Police completes the investigation.”
Byrne continued: “Once we have more information from the Darien Police, we will inform the community and provide an update regarding DHS extracurricular activities and athletics. All other Darien Schools will be open on a regular schedule and run extracurricular activities as planned.”
School counselors are being made available for “any students or staff in need of support,” Byrne said.
“The safety of our students and staff is our highest priority,” he said.
Marron asked the public for help in an announcement emailed at 8:39 a.m.: “If you or someone you know has information pertaining to this incident, please call the Darien Police Detective Division at 203-662-5330.”