Police investigate apparent suicide near Tappan Zee High School

ORANGETOWN A student at Tappan Zee High School shot himself to death across from the school shortly before 1 p.m. Wednesday, police and school officials said.

In response, the school went into lockdown to keep the students off the street, Orangetown police said.

Lt. Michael Shannon said police were investigating the shooting as a suicide and noted it was not on school property. The school was locked down to preserve the scene for the investigation, Shannon said.

Capt. Donald Butterworth said the incident was not a crime. He declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the event and the ongoing police investigation.

South Orangetown Superintendent Robert Pritchard confirmed Wednesday afternoon that the young man was a student at the school.

He emphasized that no other students were put in danger and said the school followed police orders to keep them inside the building.

He said he was limited by what he could say at that time.

"The incident involved a family in our community," Pritchard said. "The incident happened off campus. I want to express my grief on behalf of the district."

The suicide also affected nearby school districts.

In neighboring Nyack, Superintendent of Schools James Montesano said in a letter to parents and guardians that schools would offer "support and resources to our middle and high school students as needed."

"Although this incident happened outside our school district," Montesano said in the letter, "we are well aware of the impact this could have on our students and community."

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