Daniel A.

Higgins
Superintendent of Schools

66 Main Street, Suite 201 ♦ Ellsworth, ME 04605

Phone (207) 664-7100 ♦ Fax (207) 669-6032
Email: dhiggins@ellsworthschools.org
www.ellsworthschools.org
February 22, 2018

Dear Parents and Guardians of Ellsworth School Department Students:

I am writing to provide you with information on a situation that arose late yesterday afternoon involving
messages posted on an internet gaming site indicating a threat of a possible school shooting.
At approximately 4:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon, I was informed by Ellsworth Police Department Chief
Glenn Moshier that he was working in conjunction with a Federal Bureau of Investigations Special Agent
investigating a threat notification that was provided to the FBI from a Denmark company that hosts the
mobile game Clash of Clans. In addition to information concerning threatening posts, the company also
provided an IP address from which the user had most recently logged into the system. While the posted
messages did not indicate a specific school, time, or date, the threat did target the school department’s
school resource officer. Using that information, Chief Moshier and the FBI agent were able to track the
user to a local residence and proceeded to that residence to interview any potential users of the system.
The police investigation and interview resulted in the arrest of an Ellsworth High School student. The
student has been charged with Terrorizing (Class C) and violation of conditional release and is currently
being held at the Hancock County Jail. School and District administration will issue appropriate
consequences for violations of school policy.
I appreciate the fact that Chief Moshier immediately apprised the school department of the situation
yesterday afternoon and the updates he has provided me last evening and this morning. I also appreciate
the diligence with which the members of the Ellsworth Police Department and FBI thoroughly
investigated and resolved this serious situation.
Please know that our highest priority is the safety and security of all students and staff and security
measures and procedures consistent with the ESD Emergency Management Plan are in place specifically
for that priority. I would also remind parents and students of the importance of being aware of issues,
concerns, and situations that may involve the school or students and reporting those concerns promptly to
school administration or law enforcement is important to helping provide the highest level of safety and
security possible.
School will be in session on Monday February 26, 2018 as scheduled. If you have any questions or
concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best regards,

Daniel A. Higgins
Superintendent of Schools