CONCORD, N.H. – Kyle Hendrickson, 25, of Maine, has admitted to terrorizing Portsmouth High School with online threats and illegally possessing firearms, according to federal prosecutors. The incident, which unfolded on April 12th, sent shockwaves through the New Hampshire community and triggered a swift response from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Hendrickson pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court to one count of interstate threatening communications and one count of possessing a firearm in a school zone. The charges stem from a disturbing Snapchat video he posted, showing him brandishing a handgun while parked outside Portsmouth High School. A chilling text overlay on the video read, “imma shoot up the school.” Surveillance footage confirmed Hendrickson’s vehicle was indeed present at the school during the time of the posting.
The feds didn’t just rely on the video. A search of Hendrickson’s vehicle turned up a disturbing arsenal: an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, camouflage body armor, a handgun holster, a red-dot sight, and a substantial quantity of ammunition. The handgun featured in the Snapchat video was later recovered near a motel in Maine where Hendrickson had stayed the night before the threat.
U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young’s office confirmed Hendrickson was initially arrested on a criminal complaint on April 13th, and a grand jury handed down a two-count indictment on September 13th. The case was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Boston Division, with significant assistance from the Portsmouth Police Department, as well as agencies in Somersworth, Portland, and Berwick, Maine.
Hendrickson now faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison for each charge – a total of ten years – along with up to three years of supervised release and a hefty fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for March 15, 2024, before U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliot. The final sentence will be determined based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant federal statutes.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Rombeau is prosecuting the case. This case serves as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of online threats, especially those involving schools and firearms. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward sentencing and will provide updates as they become available.
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