Walt Whitman High School social media threat deemed noncredible, superintendent says

Walt Whitman High School in South Huntington was assigned extra police officers Wednesday due to a social media threat made Tuesday night that was later deemed to be noncredible, Suffolk police and school authorities said.

Parents received a robocall Tuesday evening from South Huntington Superintendent Vito M. D’Elia advising them that the threat — initially not seen as credible — was made on social media and that the police had been notified. 

"Walt Whitman High School Administration this evening were made aware of a social media post, conveying a potential threat of violence against WWHS," the superintendent said, adding that there would be a "greater presence" of police at the school Wednesday.

Wednesday afternoon, D'Elia put out another statement to the community saying: "After further investigation this morning by the high school administrative team and the Suffolk County Police Department, we were able to determine that no credible threat was made towards the high school. Through our investigation, we were also able to identify the person who initiated the social media posting, causing the anxiety felt by all within the school community. 

"Given the gravity of the message posted, and the nature of its content, the school is addressing the situation appropriately," he said.

A Suffolk police spokesman confirmed the department had been in touch with school officials and there was to be an increased police presence at the school on Wednesday.

On Sept. 19, Suffolk police said an earlier threat made on social media to the school and its students prompted additional police officers to be assigned to the school.

That threat on the social media app Snapchat was believed to have come from a juvenile living in England.