SSHS threat blamed on ‘hacked account’

An email message that prompted a lockdown at Saipan Southern High School last Friday is now being blamed on a “hacked account.”

An email message sent to the Saipan Southern High School administration prompted the Public School System and local law enforcement to believe that the school would face an active shooter attack, prompting the nearly two-hour lockdown and police searching the school.

The threatening email message allegedly came from the account of a 16-year-old SSHS student, who later denied sending the threatening email. Police identified the student but Saipan Tribune is opting not to identify him at the moment.

Police learned that the email was sent through a school computer and it is still unknown who was responsible for the email.

In an interview with the student with the hacked email account, he said that he had no clue what was going until he was pulled out of class to be questioned by SSHS faculty and police officers.

“During my first period, my teacher…called me up to her desk and she showed me the email on her phone and she was asking me if I sent it and I told her no. I was never on any computer when the email was sent…I have no idea [who sent it]” he said.

His older sister also talked to the police and SSHS administration about the email.

“We have to find out now who hacked his email. This is not fair because it’s ruining his reputation and this is not a joke. We’re going to find out…there is also a picture going around of my brother’s school ID and we need to find out who is sending that. This is not fair; he is only in high school and this is going to ruin a lot of things for him,” she said.

When asked whether he would know of anyone who wanted to get back at him, he said he has no idea.

“I’m usually good with everyone…everyone knows me, everyone knows I wouldn’t do this and they know I’m better than that…I’m so sorry if this ruined everyone’s Christmas party,” he said.

According to Saipan Southern High School principal Vincent DelaCruz, when threats like shooting and bombing are made, it is never taken lightly.

“Whenever we receive a threat, we follow a protocol and that protocol is, we call 911 first, then we inform the [PSS] commissioner, and then DPS [Department of Public Safety] takes over…Even if it is a prank, you can see how many officers came out here…it’s part of their job, yes, but if this prank hadn’t happened, these officers could be out there serving and protecting the community,” he said.

DelaCruz added that DPS would continue to investigate the matter.

MD: A hacked email account caused a commotion at the Saipan Southern High School last Friday after an email was sent leading the Public School System and local law enforcement to believe that the school would face an active shooter attack.

Keywords: Saipan Southern High School, Diego Cabrera, Sylvia Cabrera, active shooter.