Queens High School Student Charged After Posting Threats, Carrying Loaded Gun

Threat at Benjamin Cardoza High School

• 🚨 A disturbing threat to "shoot the school up" was posted on Instagram by a student at Benjamin Cardoza High School in Queens.
• 🔍 The FBI identified the Instagram account and alerted the NYPD, who then contacted the school.

Student Arrest and Discovery

• 👮 A 16-year-old sophomore with no prior criminal history was removed from class and arrested.
• 🎒 Officers found a loaded handgun with 13 rounds in the student's backpack.
• 📱 Three cell phones were also found; however, only one was handed over as per the school's cell phone ban policy.

School Lockdown and Student Reactions

• 🔒 Students experienced a lockdown at the school yesterday, preventing them from leaving class.
• 💬 Many students expressed shock and fear, with some stating their parents were terrified and hesitant to send them to school today.
• ⚠️ Students voiced concerns about school safety and gun violence, questioning the focus on cell phone pouches over more significant issues.

Charges and School Safety Measures

• ⚖️ The 16-year-old student has been charged with criminal possession of a weapon and making terrorist threats.
• 🚶‍♂️ Security was significantly increased at the school this morning, with metal detectors being used for all students, despite it typically being a no-metal-detector school.
• 🗣️ The incident highlights the importance of the "see something, say something" approach, as a tip led to the discovery and arrest.