Connecticut is facing a rising number of school shooting threats, with over 30 cases assessed by the state’s central intelligence authority since the start of the school year. This increase reflects a broader national trend following the tragic school shooting in Georgia on September 4, which left four dead. In response, several schools across the state, including those in Bristol, Torrington, and Bridgeport, have been closed due to threats received through phone calls and social media.
Many schools, including those in Norwalk, Bridgeport, and New Haven, have heightened their security presence, while schools in West Haven, New Britain, and North Haven have experienced lockdowns. Despite the frightening nature of these events, officials see the increase in reported threats as a positive sign that the “see something, say something” mentality is working in the state, which experienced the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in 2012.
“We’ve got a lot of people willing to tell us, and that’s important for prevention,” said Tim Silva, a manager at the Connecticut Intelligence Center.
Governor Ned Lamont emphasized that while many threats are simply reposts or jokes, authorities must take each one seriously. “They think they’re being funny. They’re not,” Lamont said. He added that there should be consequences for individuals making or spreading threats, including arrests of students who post them.
Recent arrests of students from towns like Ansonia and Bridgeport have highlighted the need for stronger deterrents. “We hope people understand that there is a consequence to what they do,” Silva said, noting that some threats were motivated by students trying to avoid tests.
However, communication breakdowns during threat incidents have caused frustration. In Bridgeport, for example, an ESL teacher, Jacqueline Colantonio, shared concerns about safety after her school staff were informed hours late about a threat. Although the threat was eventually deemed non-credible, the delay in notifying staff created fear and unease. Bridgeport’s superintendent has since apologized and committed to improving notification systems.
Senator Herron Gaston, co-chair of the Public Safety and Security Committee, called for a balance between school security measures and the negative impact of over-surveillance, particularly for Black students, who are disproportionately affected by high-surveillance environments. Gaston urged the state to focus more on mental health services and social programs that address the root causes of violent behavior, such as feelings of isolation and anger.
As students in Connecticut cope with these threats, mental health support is becoming increasingly crucial. Tim Kearney, chief behavioral health officer at Community Health Center, Inc., reported that many students are seeking help, reflecting growing fear and anxiety among the school population.
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