Bryan Flecken

An anonymous tip led authorities in Allegheny County to charge a former Butler School District student on Friday after police say he posted online threats to “shoot up” the district.

Bryan P. Flecken, 28, of Bridgeville, allegedly told police he was joking when he made the comments, but he is now behind bars on $250,000 bail facing a misdemeanor charge of terroristic threats.

Flecken was arraigned on Saturday by District Judge Eileen Conroy, according to online docket records, and was committed to the Allegheny County Jail on $250,000 bail.

The criminal complaint filed against Flecken states the investigation began around noon Friday when Bridgeville police contacted the South Fayette Township authorities after receiving an anonymous private message via their Facebook page.

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, when a 19-year-old gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

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.”

Bridgeville police contacted South Fayette police after it was learned that Flecken had made the comments from his apartment in that jurisdiction.

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 Flecken, 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.

After searching his home and vehicle, as well as speaking with Flecken's family, police said it was determined that he has no access to weapons and there was no evidence that he owns a gun.

Police said Flecken reported that the threatening posts amounted to “an off-color remark to his friends, just joking around or whatever, and he regrets it.”

“Every reasonable person should know today that you can't go on social media and make a threat, no matter how vague it is,” South Fayette Township Police Chief John Phoennik previously said. “We're going to err on the side of caution whenever these things happen.”

Police said the investigation into Flecken's online activity continues, with the intention to secure a search warrant to further examine his phone.

Flecken graduated from Butler in 2008. In an email to parents Sunday, district Superintendent Brian White wrote that the administration and the school board consulted with solicitor Tom King over the weekend about the case.

King has been asked to seek an injunction barring Flecken from setting foot on any district properties or attending any events hosted by the district. King will also request reimbursement for all costs related to the threat, White said.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26 before District Judge Maureen McGraw-Desmet. It is unknown if Flecken has an attorney.