CT Students Accused of Wearing Columbine Costumes, Making Threats Face Expulsion

The two Litchfield High School students who were sent to a juvenile detention center, may also face expulsion from school after they were accused of dressing up as the “Columbine Killers” and threatening other students at a local Halloween party on Saturday.

Connecticut State Police say that the students made “threats of bodily harm to other students,” according to the New York Times. Litchfield Schools Superintendent Lynn K. McMullin told NBC Connecticut that the district notified police the next day after they heard of the two students’ costumes.

"The costume was essentially black trench coats, baseball caps, and sunglasses. This is the times we're living in, and we would be inhuman if it didn't put us on edge,” said McMullin, referring to the frequency of school shootings.

The Fairfield community is especially sensitive to these matters, as the Sandy Hook killings, where 26 children and teachers were murdered, occurred less than an hour from the Litchfield School District in 2012.

Troopers went to the school on Sunday to investigate the “threat of a possible hostile event,” and during their investigation heard from suspects and witnesses who said the two sopohmores made "threats of bodily harm to other students at Litchfield High School."

The school district later sent out a notice to local families saying "At every stage of the investigation, we were reassured by the troopers that there was no evidence of any credible threat that would necessitate any change in our regular daily practices.”

One of the students’ lawyers says the issue is not a matter of crime, but of poor costume.
He told the New York Times that a group walked up to the two students and commented that they looked like Columbine High School shooters and someone added, “I bet you’re going to shoot up the school.”

“There was a sarcastic response to that, and that was basically the end of it.”

The boys’ lawyers said one of the girls told her parents who called the police. State Police have searched the homes and cell phones of the boys and have not commented on what their investigation has turned up. Prosecutors are also remaining mum since the case involves juveniles.

It was revealed on Thursday that the Litchfield School District would try to expel the students. That same day they attended a hearing for felony charges of inciting injury to persons or property, and a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace.

The students were charged a day later and sent to a juvenile detention facility, according to the New York Times. Read the mixed responses from the local community on this issue here in the New York times.