CNN writes that in June 2021, Gendron made a “generalized threat” while he was a student at Susquehanna Valley Central High School in Conklin, New York. This came after he completed a high project on murder suicides. According to NPR, it’s not believed that the threat targeted any specific people. Nonetheless, the remark was a cause of concern to the school as it concerned his fellow classmates. The New York Post writes that it’s unknown exactly what the threat was.
However, one unnamed government official told the Buffalo News, “A school official reported that this very troubled young man had made statements indicating that he wanted to do a shooting, either at a graduation ceremony or sometime after.” Whatever the case, AP News reports that New York state troopers were called in and took Gendron in for a mental health evaluation. Per CNN, the then 17-year-old was taken to the hospital and was only there for a day and a half.
Independent notes that it’s unknown what treatment, if any, Gendron received while hospitalized. At a press conference on May 15, Buffalo police commissioner Joseph Gramaglia stated that this new information only proves that “This is someone who has hate in their heart, soul, and mind.” Now, investigators are speaking to Gendron’s parents and searching the family home to uncover more evidence and the planning behind the shooting (via Fox News).
