Police ID Suspect In Connection With Threatening Social Media Post Directed At Darien HS

DARIEN, CT — The threatening social media post directed at Darien High School Tuesday has been traced back to Arkansas, and authorities there are currently questioning a juvenile resident, Darien Police Jeremiah P. Marron Jr. said in an update late Tuesday morning.

Marron said a recent Instagram post referenced a firearm. After the discovery of the post, DHS was initially scheduled to operate under a two-hour delay Tuesday, but classes were ultimately canceled out of an abundance of caution as police continued to investigate. Other schools in town operated on schedule.

"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 said. "Currently there is no known credible threat to any school in Darien. As this investigation continues, we will provide an update if necessary."

Marron thanked the Darien police patrol and detective divisions, Darien Public Schools, school administration, and law enforcement partners for their assistance.

"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," Marron added.

In a communication to DPS families late Tuesday morning, Interim Superintendent Dr. Eric Byrne said after-school athletics at DHS will run as scheduled.

"Many thanks to Chief Marron and the Darien Police Department for their swift response and excellent communication to me and my team," 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."

Darien police will continue to have additional patrols in and around all Darien schools and at homecoming events over the next few days, Byrne noted.