Flecken barred from Butler schools
An Allegheny County man who allegedly threatened to “shoot up” a Butler school was sued by the district and issued an injunction to prevent him from coming within a mile of any Butler schools on Tuesday.
Judge Marilyn Horan issued the injunction prohibiting terroristic threats suspect Bryan P. Flecken from physically being within a mile of any Butler School District property or from attending any school-related activity, whether held on district property or at another location.
Flecken, 28, of Bridgeville, is currently being held in Allegheny County Jail on $250,000 bail after being charged by South Fayette Township police with misdemeanor terroristic threats following an investigation into online comments he allegedly made a day after a 19-year-old gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.
District Superintendent Brian White said the injunction was one part of the enhanced security and response from the district following the threat, which included the closure of Campus Lane to through traffic between New Castle and Fairground Hill roads during school hours.
White said he was pleased the court authorized the request for an injunction, as it helps give “peace of mind” to the district.
“This is part of our commitment to our community and our families,” he said. “This individual made a threat to our school, and we don't want him around. Now we have a legal reason to turn this individual away.”
District solicitor Tom King said security has been increased on school properties, including school police being placed on heightened alert and local police agencies informed of the situation.
“Our paramount concern is the safety of the kids and the staff, including the teachers, employees, administrators and visitors to the school,” King said. “Given the nature of these threats that were reported to us, we wanted to make sure Mr. Flecken did not appear on any of our properties.”
Horan's order states that if Flecken violates the injunction, punishment could carry up to a $1,000 fine or a maximum imprisonment of six months.
While Flecken continues to be held in the Allegheny County Jail pending his preliminary hearing on Feb. 26, King said the district wanted the injunction in place before his potential release from jail.
The injunction states that “ … Defendant's comments were a threat to inflict injury on another person ... coupled with an ability to cause the harm ...” and “Defendant's comments created a reasonable apprehension of bodily harm or offensive contact in the victims or potential victims …” and were “such that they were viewed credible enough to justify the filing of criminal charges against Defendant.”
The filing also states that the comments have caused cost and expense to the district, “such that an award of reasonable counsel fees and costs should be awarded in favor of the Butler School District and against the Defendant.”
A hearing will be held within five days, according to Horan's order.
An anonymous tip led authorities in Allegheny County on Friday to charge the former Butler School District student, who graduated in 2008, after police say he posted online threats to “shoot up” the district.
That tip contained screen shots of a conversation between several Facebook users that occurred on Thursday in regards to the school shooting that happened the day before.
The affidavit of probable cause states that the conversation included comments about gun control, to which Flecken replied that “Nobody gives a (expletive). I'll prove it. I'm gonna buy 34 rifles and shoot up my first place of employment ... how about next Wednesday ... about 2:30. I bet (expletive) no (expletive) police or fbi even THINK of tracking me down. Nobody cares. Big brother is comatose.”
Police, along with FBI personnel, went to Flecken's home where he acknowledged he made some “less than colorful comments” on Facebook, the document states.
Flecken cooperated with the investigation, showing officers his phone, where police observed other comments from him, including, the specific threat of “Gonna shoot up: Butler JHS, IHS, or Sr. High??”, the document states.
Also in that conversation were comments from Flecken stating, “I'm game” and “Look at my latest post. Clearly ... I have nothing to live for ...” the document states.
The document states that Flecken admitted to authoring the posts, and he was arrested. He reportedly told police he was joking when he made the comments.
