Nicole Higgins DeSmet

Free Press Staff Writer

SOUTH BURLINGTON - An email containing a “murder list” that was sent to staff at the high school this morning triggered the third lockdown in three days and a 2 p.m. dismissal.

The district cancelled Friday's classes at all city schools.

"This one had some additional detail, as you alluded to. I want to give detectives ability to do their job," Superintendent David Young said at a 1:30 p.m. news conference. In a later press conference Young confirmed the photo circulated via Snapchat and email that named teachers and students on a "murder list" caused the lockdown.

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The email, sent around 11:30 a.m., targeted five staff members and 11 students.

At about 3:50 p.m., Young said students were still in the process of being bused home and that the students targeted by the email had been transported separately out of the school to be united with parents at the police station.

Students who drove were instructed to leave their cars in the parking lot and students who walked were also bused home.

South Burlington Chief of Police Trevor Whipple said at a 6:30 p.m. news conference that his staff had leads. His officers and cybercrime experts were working with the FBI.

Whipple said police are investigating the possibility that all of the threats in South Burlington are related, and could be related to the April 12 incident in Essex.

"It is rare in events like this that somebody doesn't know something," Whipple said. Whipple encouraged students and residents to come forward with information.

Thursday morning and afternoon, a photo of the threatening email circulated among students, parents and members of the media. It mentions the decision to change the high school's Rebel team name.

"THIS COULD’VE BEEN PREVENTED FROM KEEPING THE REBEL NAME. NOW I’m gonna have to attack you all. I don’t care for my own life as long as you’re all dead!!!!!," the email reads.

The name change mobilized a group of residents to form a Rebel Alliance Facebook page in February and a political action committee. The residents gathered enough signatures to request a citywide vote on the Rebel name.

Kiya Batmanglidj, a member of the alliance on Facebook, wrote in an email that he had seen the email message because "it has gone viral."

"I don't think any person — or any motive — can be ruled in or out yet," Batmanglidj wrote.

He added that he had posted a statement on the alliance's Facebook page asking for cooperation with police:

"During this lockdown, and all lockdowns, please refrain from posting any hiding locations or rumors and allow the SBPD full access to do their job, which is to keep students and staff safe. Parents should refrain from going to the school if possible as that can distract and divert SBPD resources.

"This is a safety issue and on this, everyone should stand together as a community, regardless of differences on the Rebel name and school budget. There is no place in a civil society for this type of behavior."

Tipsters can contact:

Champlain Valley Crime Stoppers 1-800-427-TIPS (8477)

Anonymous text message to 844-848-8477

Web tips www.vtips.info

The South Burlington Police Department at 802-846-4111.

The text of Thursday’s email stated:

My other threat was only a test. I stood across the Street and saw you evacuating. great job. Now I got to see what students I can kill. I’ve already hacked into your students emails and servers to see who. You all can keep thinking it’s a “low risk.” I can already be inside your building right now. I have access to all students and teacher information. check out the murder list. I’m watching you all.

SBHS MURDER LIST

Teacher to kill:

[5 names listed]

Students to kill:

[11 names listed]

THIS COULD’VE BEEN PREVENTED FROM KEEPING THE REBEL NAME. NOW I’m gonna have to attack you all. I don’t care for my own life as long as you’re all dead!!!!!

Sincerely,

This statement has been altered to remove the names of the staff and students mentioned.

Contributing: Ryan Mercer, Dan D'Ambrosio and Jess Aloe.

Contact Nicole Higgins DeSmet at ndesmet@freepressmedia.com or 802-660-1845. Follow her on Twitter @NicoleHDeSmet.

April 20 South Burlington Schools District Office