Friday, September 25, 2026

14-Year-Old Former Student Charged After Online Threat Against Gillingham Charter School

Pottsville Bureau of Police investigation graphic

A 14-year-old former student has been charged after Pottsville police said the juvenile threatened Gillingham Charter School in a Discord group chat.

Online Threat Reported at Gillingham Charter School

Officers were dispatched to the school at 915 Howard Avenue at approximately 8:35 a.m. Thursday, September 24, 2026, after the online threat was reported.

School administrator Kathleen Staskowski told officers that students participating in the Discord group chat saw the message and reported it to school staff the following morning.

Police said the former student wrote, “This is why I’m gonna genuinely mass shoot Gillingham.”

Juvenile Faces Terroristic Threats Charges

The juvenile was charged with one felony count and one misdemeanor count of terroristic threats, along with a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, according to police.

The charges are allegations. The juvenile is presumed innocent unless adjudicated delinquent.