Police in Rhode Island received an anonymous letter threatening to behead elementary children in three communities of the state, Warwick's police chief said Wednesday. Although police officers were placed for protection and coverage at every elementary school through Friday, several parents decided to keep their children at home.
Warwick, Cranston, and Johnston were identified as the cities from which students would be targeted, with Col. Steven McCartney describing the nature of the threat as chilling, Connecticut CBS affiliate WTIC 1080 and Ben Shapiro's Truth Revolt reported. Specifically, the letter mentioned that "beheading is planned" for the victims, McCartney told WPRO-AM.
"There was a specific mention of elementary schools in this letter, the other thing which was the specific type of threat, which was beheading, is planned," McCartney told WPRO.
Meanwhile, safety measures are being taken by the school, including the cancellation of recess and making students enter the school immediately upon arrival and restricting them from going outside, Cranston Superintendent Judith Lundsten said.
However, some parents plan to keep their children home until the threat abates.
"The intent of the Warwick Police Department is to allow the education of the students to continue safely,"
McCartney told WPRO, adding that the school might be the safest place for the children to be.
Lt. Matthew Moynihan, a state police officer working for Cranston police, said authorities have not determined any validity to the threat and are still investigating the case.
