Threat Against Concord Middle School Not Credible: Superintendent

CONCORD, NH — Concord police and the SAU 8 school district are investigating a threat made on social media against the school on Sunday but, ultimately, officials have deemed it not credible.

Kathleen Murphy, the district's superintendent, informed parents of the threat saying the officials were alerted to a post on Instagram indicating violence would occur at Rundlett Middle School on Monday.

"The Concord police were immediately notified of the post and were provided with as much information that was known at the time," she said. "After an investigation and contact with the social media site, police were able to identify the author of the post and contacted the student and their parents."

Police and the district will be taking action on the matter on Monday, the superintendent said.

The post, Murphy said, "was retaliatory in its intent" but Concord police indicated that "it was not a credible threat." She said students would be safe attending school and staff will address the incident with students.

"This unfortunate incident must be taken seriously and brings to light the negative impact that posts on social media sites can have on everyone," Murphy said. "There is no question we all have a responsibility to help students deal with their emotions — but we must also help them to understand the impact and ramifications of using social media to express their feelings and emotions."

This incident is the latest in a series of issues at the school including racial tensions, fighting, dress code, and social media posts by students, often involving comments against other students.

Deputy Police Chief John Thomas said since the case involved juveniles, he could not speak about specifics. He called the incident "serious" but "done in haste and not intended to do any harm at the school — but (the student) wanted to give the impression that it could possibly occur." Thomas commended detectives as well as Instagram for working together to resolve the issue.

"Detectives immediately follow-up and were able to trace the person who created the account," Thomas said. "Instagram was very cooperative."

With social media and law enforcement, that cooperation has not always been there, he said. Sometimes, "it is very inconsistent"; they require search warrants. Other times, it can take a lot of time for them to respond.

"This is a great example of the cooperation which led to a quick resolution in the case," Thomas said.

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