For Immediate Release

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: [email protected]

*JOINT RELEASE* Police Investigating After Hull Student Allegedly Shares Threatening Message on Snapchat

Classes Will Resume Thursday, Jan. 2 as Planned

HULL — Superintendent Michael F. Devine and Deputy Chief Neil J. Reilly report that police and school officials are investigating after a Memorial Middle School student allegedly shared concerning and threatening photos on Snapchat earlier today. The two incidents are believed to have stemmed from an argument among multiple students at the school.

At this time there is not believed to be any active threats toward any student or staff member at the school, and classes will resume as planned on Thursday, Jan. 2

At approximately noon on Wednesday, Jan. 1, Memorial Middle School parents alerted police of a concerning photo posted on Snapchat by a female middle school student that showed the student holding what looked like a handgun.

Through the subsequent investigation, police located and seized the gun, which was determined to be a BB gun that closely resembled a real firearm.

Subsequently, at approximately 9 p.m. Wednesday evening, police learned from another parent that the same student had shared another post on Snapchat, this time of a threatening nature toward another student. The post contained a message and a photo of what police believe to be the same BB gun.

Superintendent Devine and Memorial Middle School Principal Anthony Hrivnak remained in close contact with Hull Police during both investigations. The student has been disciplined in accordance with the school district’s Code of Conduct policy.

“With classes starting tomorrow, we wanted to act quickly and proactively to ensure that school could open on time and to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” Superintendent Devine said. “We believe that the threatening photo stemmed from an argument between two students, and at this time there is no reason to believe there is any threat to the school community.”

Police do not believe the BB gun was ever fired, and no injuries resulted from the incidents.

A School Resource Officer will be at Memorial Middle School at the start of the school day Thursday.

Both situations are currently under investigation by the Hull Police Department.

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