Man Who Threatened To Shoot School in Western Mass Denied Bail: DA

A 46-year-old man who threatened to shoot everyone at a Franklin County elementary school will remain in jail following a dangerousness hearing on Wednesday, March 29.

Northfield Elementary School was put on lockdown Friday, March 24, after a 46-year-old man threatened a school shooting, authorities said.
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Josh Lanier

03/29/2023 4:46 p.m.

Theodore R. Sweeney Jr., of Northfield, is charged with threatening to commit a school shooting, two counts of threatening to commit a crime, and disturbing the peace in connection stemming from an incident on Friday, the Northwestern District Attorney said.

Sweeney is accused of calling Northfield Elementary School and telling two employees, "I will come there and shoot every one of you,” the prosecutor said.

The call forced school officials to issue a lockdown and shelter-in-place order before police could arrest Sweeney.

Sweeney's attorney said that the school administrators misheard him and he never intended to threaten anyone, the prosecutor said. She told the court that Sweeney plans to sue over the charges.

Court officials will hold Sweeney for 120 days following Wednesday's ruling.

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