While federal authorities investigate an anonymous threat of violence against the town of East Lyme, local officials are taking precautions to keep residents safe and have canceled a high school girls' basketball game slated for Monday night.
"In the world we live in, we take each and every one of these threats very seriously. We want to err on the side of caution," explained East Lyme First Selectman Paul Formica. "We want to make sure we can provide the best security we can, so the superintendent said, 'Let's cancel today.'"
School superintendent Jim Lombardo said officials will convene Tuesday morning to review the police investigation and determine the fate of a boys' basketball tournament scheduled for tomorrow.
Formica said the threat, which did not mention a specific target, was discovered on the social media app YikYak late the evening of Dec. 23 or early Christmas Eve.
"East Lyme better get ready for the hail of bullets. I've been bullied too long and after break I'm going to let all my anger out," the post said.
State police and the FBI are helping police in East Lyme investigate the town-wide threat and are working to track down the person behind it.
East Lyme students return to school next Monday and Formica said he has already been fielding calls from concerned parents.
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"I know the school is preparing a security plan in the event this isn't resolved by Monday, so we'll definitely have increased presence if needed but we're hoping this will all be history by then," Formica said.
Police ask anyone with information to call the East Lyme Police Department at 860-739-5900.
