ST. MARYS –– Two Elk County teens were arrested on Wednesday after posting videos on Snapchat making threats towards St Marys Area High School.
SMAHS School Police Officer John Lovett told The Era that Joseph Seawright and Caitlin Ambuski were identified as suspects after students approached Lovett on Wednesday with posts by Seawright and Ambuski displaying threats towards the school, and then showing Seawright discharging a firearm.
“They made some online posts, particularly Joseph. There was a snapchat post that he was making threats towards the school,” Lovett explained. “Consequently, a couple of students brought those posts to me. Then we took action and called St. Marys Police Department who, in turn, called state police and got them involved.”
According to a report by WTAJ in Altoona, police took Ambuski into custody early in the day but were still searching for Seawright. Both Seawright and Ambuski were reported by St. Marys radio station B94 to be in custody as of late Wednesday.
Court documents indicate that Seawright, 18, of Johnsonburg; and Ambuski, 18, of Kersey, were each charged with terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another, a first-degree misdemeanor; and conspiracy to commit terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another.
When asked how he thought both the school and law enforcement handled the situation, Lovett replied, “very well.”
“I think our school police officers and St. Marys police acted quickly and acted appropriately. The superintendent was there for our students immediately,” he explained.
Lovett commended the response to the intense situation, saying the response was good and fast.
He said, “The teachers and staff did a very good job. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.”
The officer lauded the students who brought the issue to his attention and the way the school district and police handled the situation.
“Unfortunately, we live in a world where we have to take every threat very seriously, and we did that with this threat,” Lovett said. “I’m thankful for the students who saw the snapchat post. I think it worked out very well between the school administration and law enforcement.”
