Thread by @socialistdogmom

a seventeen year old boy has been arrested in connection with the 4chan threats of “ethnic cleansing” that closed charlottesville city schools yesterday and today. the press conference at the police station is starting momentarily.

the city’s press release went out a little over an hour ago

welcome to 2019, my police chief just said “4chan”

the language was not “racially charged,” it was genocidal. over 4000 students and their families were terrorized for days. let’s not water this down.

the search warrant was executed in albemarle county this morning... so not a charlottesville high school student?

chief brackney says this incident and the threat (and arrest) made re: albemarle county schools are NOT related.

charlottesville police chief brackney on the threat of racial violence: “hate is not welcomed in charlottesville. violence is not welcomed in charlottesville. intolerance is not welcomed in charlottesville.”
“there are not very fine people on both sides of this issue.

charlottesville city schools superintendent dr rosa atkins: “we condemn those efforts” to undermine the work of the school system & the community to work toward racial equity.
she’s praising the efforts of the community to feed & care for students affected by the school closure.

mayor nikuyah walker “i would like to send the message to the community that our police department is working on behalf of the community” to ensure the safety of students & school staff.

mayor walker: “i know there will be fear on monday,” but hopes the way the community came together ultimately sends a positive message that helps alleviate that fear.

“the male suspect identifies as portuguese,” says chief brackney when asked if the suspect is black or white. because the suspect is a juvenile, she can only provide limited information (and can’t answer re: prior criminal history). she says they believe he acted alone.

chief brackney confirms the suspect is a “non student” and a resident of albemarle county.

brackney emphasizes again that state law prevents them from releasing information about a juvenile arrest unless he is prosecuted as an adult. (this in response to a question about the community’s right to know who is terrorizing them)

dr atkins responds to a question what monday will be like for students - “teachers are charged up,” “they want our students to know that hate has no home” in our schools. counselors are prepared to respond to any concerns students and parents have.

asked about police presence - atkins: “they will be there for us. they will send as many law enforcement officers and as many resources as needed,” but doesn’t say whether that means there will actually be increased police presence

brackney refuses to demean the threat by calling it a prank.
“the thing about terrorism is that it does strike fear” into the hearts of the community. “you don’t necessarily need a weapon in your hand” to cause that fear.

brackney will not divulge any information about whether weapons were found or any sign of intent to carry out the action threatened.

and that’s all there is. there’s never a lot of information about an ongoing investigation, by the fact that he is a minor really limits the amount of information they can release at this time.

i say “at this time” because it’s entirely possible he’ll end up being charged as an adult, which would change the situation significantly.

today’s press conference about the arrest of a teen who made threats to shoot black & hispanic students at charlottesville high school was recorded and is available herfacebook.com/charlottesvill…eeX1