NYC student, 16, pledges to shoot up school on social media, found with loaded semiautomatic handgun after Instagram steps in

A high school student from Queens, New York, was apprehended after posting a threatening message on social media that indicated an intention to commit a school shooting. The 16-year-old student from Benjamin Cardozo High School was taken into custody after moderators on Instagram flagged his alarming post, prompting an investigation by authorities.

Shortly after 10 a.m., the student allegedly uploaded a picture of a mannequin drawing with the caption “TS GMT ’boutta shoot the school up.” Following the report, school safety officers were quick to act, and the FBI traced the telephone number linked to the Instagram account that made the threatening remark.

Authorities suspect that the post was made while the student was on the school’s premises. The acronym “TS GMT” is interpreted in the online language as “this s—t gets me tight,” indicating heightened emotions and potential distress.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the student was located with a loaded semiautomatic handgun just two hours following the social media post. In addition, he had three mobile phones in his backpack, including one in a school-issued pouch, but no prior criminal record was found.

Tisch expressed her concern about the incident, stating, “As a mother of two young school-aged boys, I am shaken. But as your police commissioner, I am resolute in ensuring that the NYPD does everything in our power to keep our children safe.”

New York City Mayor Eric Adams commended the rapid actions of law enforcement, calling it “the perfect example of the system working properly.” He emphasized, “We potentially saved the lives of a lot of students and staff today… I don’t want to imagine a world where we would be making a different announcement right now.”

FBI officials reflected on the situation positively, expressing that the swift actions taken underscore the importance of partnerships and the crucial necessity for effective information-sharing to protect students and the community from violence.

Despite the successful resolution of this case, Mayor Adams stressed that it serves as a stark reminder of the troubling trends affecting the youth. He declared, “This is a 16-year-old with a semiautomatic weapon and a threat to take lives. This is indicative of a deeper issue that must be addressed.”

Adams urged parents to remain vigilant and concerned about the dangers their children face, citing, “We have to recommit ourselves to saving these children. Younger and younger people are participating in these acts. This is a real wake-up call for our city, for our country.”