Lyndonville, Medina schools receive ‘swatting’ bomb threats deemed not credible

Medina and Lyndonville school districts were among about 50 in New York State that received a generic, non-specific bomb threat through email this morning. The threat was investigated by law enforcement and deemed not credible.

The Medina Police Department was able to quickly determine it wasn’t a credible threat in Medina, so the schools didn’t need to be cleared out, said Mark Kruzynski, the district superintendent.

Medina is currently on break anyway but some students are there each day for spring sports.

“Unfortunately, there are individuals in our society who continue to send threatening messages to school districts across the country,” Kruzynski said in a message to the community. “In situations like this we will always work with our law enforcement partners to analyze the threat and determine the level of response. The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force is now further investigating these email threats.”

Update at 10:19 a.m.: Lyndonville also received one of the threats by email and it was found to not be credible. Sharon Smith, the district superintendent, contacted the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, which investigated the threat.

“In situations like this, we will always work with the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department and their law enforcement partners to analyze the threat and determine the appropriate level of response,” Smith in a message to the community.

Lyndonville cancelled athletic practices and sent staff home, Smith said. All offices will be open and activities will resume tomorrow, she said.

Update at 4:31 p.m.: Gov. Kathy Hochul issued this statement about the threats:

“More than 50 school districts across New York have received disturbing ‘swatting’ threats today including in Central New York, Long Island, the Southern Tier and the North Country. I want to reassure parents that their children are safe at school – swatting threats are false and intended to cause panic and scare students, teachers and families.

“I have directed the New York State Police to investigate these threats and work closely with all levels of law enforcement to identify the perpetrators, hold them accountable, and restore the sense of safety and security our children deserve. Since the first round of swatting incidents occurred last week, State Police has been working closely with the State Education Department, county leadership and local school boards to provide support and any necessary resources to address these incidents. My top priority will always be the safety of New Yorkers.”