Crime
57-Year-Old Monica Smith Arrested After Falsely Claiming Active Shooter at East Hampton Middle School
The threat was ultimately deemed not credible.
A false active shooter report caused a district-wide lockdown in East Hampton, Connecticut on Tuesday.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene after receiving a phone call around 1 p.m. claiming an active shooter at the East Hampton Middle School.
All four schools in the district were immediately placed on lockdown while authorities conducted a thorough search of the buildings.
The threat was ultimately deemed not credible.
Investigators believe the unidentified caller may have been experiencing mental health issues.
On Wednesday evening, 57-year-old Monica Smith of Lebanon was arrested and charged with making a false report, misuse of the 911 system, and breach of peace.
It’s important to note that there is a staff member at East Hampton schools named Monica Smith, but she is not the suspect.
The incident has had a significant impact on the school community.
The district’s superintendent met with parents to discuss the traumatic experience and address their concerns.
Dr. Javeed Sukhera, a psychiatrist at Hartford Hospital, emphasized the psychological toll that such threats can have on students, staff, and parents, especially in light of the frequent occurrence of school shootings in the United States.
Crime
18-year-old Kyler Naely charged for the murder in shooting death of 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams
An 18-year-old suspect has been arrested and charged in a deadly shooting that occurred in October, which claimed the life of a 16-year-old and injured another.
The incident began on October 6, 2024, shortly after 12:45 a.m., when officers were called to a shooting on I-244 near Yale Avenue.
Upon arrival, they discovered a gray SUV riddled with bullet holes and shattered windows. Investigators determined that seven people were inside the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Two occupants of the vehicle suffered gunshot wounds.
One victim, 16-year-old Ja’Tycie Williams, sustained critical injuries and succumbed to them several weeks later. The other victim suffered a minor gunshot wound to the arm and survived.
Preliminary investigations revealed the incident was linked to a fight at the Tulsa State Fair earlier that evening.
Witnesses reported that the altercation, which occurred as the group was leaving the fairgrounds, likely escalated into the highway shooting.
Following an in-depth investigation, Tulsa Police Homicide Detectives identified 18-year-old Kyler Naely as the suspect responsible for the shooting.
On November 19, 2024, Naely was arrested, charged with first-degree murder, and booked into the Tulsa County Jail.
Authorities emphasize that the case remains under investigation and are urging anyone with additional information to contact Tulsa Crime Stoppers at 918-596-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.