BUFFALO, N.Y. — An arrest was made Friday following threats concerning the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.
"School administrators were told by students that a threatening post about the school was made on social media," Buffalo Police said Saturday afternoon, through a statement.
Detectives with the Threat Management Unit launched an investigation, and the person who made the social media post about Public School No. 192 was quickly identified, police said.
Matthew Valdiva Merced, 18, of Buffalo now faces two felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and one misdemeanor count of making a threat of mass harm. Police said they recovered a Taurus G2C handgun when Merced was taken into custody on the 200 block of Plymouth Avenue.
A search of the New York State electric court filing system on Saturday afternoon showed that Merced appeared in court on Saturday morning and was assigned a defense attorney.
Buffalo Police encourage anyone to report suspicious comments or activity by calling or texting the confidential tip-line at 716-847-2255.