BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Buffalo Police Department announced Monday that three people were arrested following terroristic threats made towards a Buffalo public school on social media.
"We will find it. We will come for you. We will prosecute you to the fullest extent. These are not a joke. You put a lot of people in fear. You make people afraid to go to school, to go to large events," Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia said.
A community member alerted Buffalo police about a message posted online on Oct. 19. The post contained a threat towards a classmate, which was investigated by BPD detectives along with the FBI's Safe Streets Task Force.
A suspect was identified and an Extreme Risk Protection Order and a search provision was signed.
"The suspect was identified through the work of the DA's office and the FBI. A ERPO, an Emergency Risk Protection Order, was requested. It was obtained by detectives from E District with a search provision in that emergency protection order - a red flag," Gramaglia said.
A Sunday morning search of the suspect's home, located on the 200 block of Florida Street, turned up a loaded SCCY 9mm pistol and a single-shot Derringer. According to Buffalo Police, no one in the home had a permit to possess the weapons.
The suspect, a 16-year-old Buffalo male, was charged with one count of making a terroristic threat, two counts of criminal possession of a firearm and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree.
Erie County District Attorney John Flynn said he's filing a motion to keep this case in Youth Part, but it could be turned over to Erie County Family Court because of Raise the Age laws. He said he's unsuccessfully petitioned to keep similar cases in the past, but hopes this time that will change.
"If it goes to Family Court, quite frankly, he's going to get a slap on the wrist... There needs to be a holistic approach, and that holistic approach includes punishment. If it's kept with me, he'll be punished," Flynn said.
Two residents of the home were also charged.
50-year-old Bishara Lott of Buffalo was charged with one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. Lott's higher charge is due to the fact that he is not allowed to carry a firearm based on a prior felony conviction. He was remanded without bail.
38-year-old Crystalann Lott of Buffalo was charged with two counts of criminal possession of a firearm and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree and given an appearance ticket as the charges are non-qualifying for bail.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Buffalo Police have partnered with the FBI to create a Threat Management Unit. The unit will be specifically trained to deal with threats to mass gatherings and schools, hate crimes, and the like. The unit will also carry out Red Flag cases, like this one. The Threat Management Unit will start in November.
