New York State investigators are trying to figure out who sent e-mails to state lawmakers on April 1, threatening to kill politicians, reporters, the wealthy and bus loads of children.
“My group is going to do everything possible to provoke terrorist attacks on New York by al-Qaida, and by tea party nut cases, and by religious extremists, lone wolves and anyone else who we can provoke into picking up a gun,” according to one of the e-mails obtained by WROC in Rochester.
“We want to create anarchy,” reads the threat with the subject line titled “Time to Kill.”
“If we attack a school bus full of kids, it may have no effect on the hardened criminals who rule Albany, but it will put the public in an uproar,” the e-mail continues. “Our goal is to create anarchy. You’ll have to kill us to stop us.”
The e-mails, from a person claiming to be a state employee, were sent on April Fools Day, so many are hoping the threats are merely a sick joke, but law enforcement is taking the threat seriously and local school districts have been put on alert.
“The e-mails are similar in content,” the New York State police said in a statement. “Due to the sensitive nature of this investigation, no other comments or details will be released at this time.”
Spokesmen for Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), the majority leader, and Sen. Jack Martins (R-Mineola) confirmed they received the e-mails and turned it over to police. The FBI is also investigating.
On Tuesday, the Syosset school district alerted parents about the e-mail threats.
“The district received an e-mail indicating that an e-mail was received by members of the media and various state officials,” the school said in a letter to parents. “We will continue to be vigilant in our efforts to protect district students in our schools and buses.”
The New York State Education Department alerted schools as a precaution.
“We encourage all those involved in school transportation to remain aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity,” said the state education department said in an e-mail to schools. “As a reminder, all drivers and technicians should conduct pre-trip and post-trip inspections with the diligence they do each day but with an added sense of caution and urgency.”
Any suspicious activity can be reported by calling 1-866-723-3697.