NORWICH, Conn. — Everyone on the football field and in the stands at the Norwich Free Academy's (NFA) home game Friday night was evacuated with moments to go in gameplay due to a social media threat targeting the game. One arrest was made.
The FBI informed Norwich Police dispatch around 8:50 p.m. of a Snapchat photo posted from the stands of the NFA football game, threatening a shooting, according to police. Police providing security at the football game were informed about the threat as the game was entering its final two minutes, police said.
The hundreds of students and spectators were immediately evacuated from the stands and the field, police said. The players "left the field right as the buzzer sounded," Norwich Free Academy said in a statement.
Using information from the FBI, police and school resource officers quickly identified and located the student responsible for the threat, police said. The student, who attends a different school in Norwich, was arrested and the student will be kept out of school pending a Board of Education review, according to police.
Police also conducted searches in open buildings and found no threats.
"The Norwich Police Department would like to extend our appreciation to the staff of Norwich Free Academy, as well as all the students and spectators for their cooperation and safe evacuation of the event," Norwich police said. "All threats are taken seriously by the Norwich Police Department and will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will be held accountable."
"We are grateful for the work of our Campus Safety Department, appreciative of our partners at NPD and thankful to all spectators who followed instructions to depart campus promptly," Norwich Free Academy said.
Anyone with information regarding criminal activity in Norwich is asked to call the Norwich Police Department at (860) 886-5561. Tips can be left anonymously.
NFA won its game against Fairfield Warde 33-32.
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