Criminal Threatening Portsmouth High School

On April 12th, 2023, at approximately 6 P.M. the Portsmouth Police Department received a tip regarding a concerning video of a threat being made of a shooting that was going to occur at the Portsmouth High School.  The video depicted a male in a vehicle in front of Portsmouth High School with a gun.  The message on the video said, “Imma gonna shoot up the school”. 

The department contacted the Superintendent of Schools and notified him of the threat.  A mutually agreed decision was made to cancel school today as a proactive approach to the safety of our school community while we continued our investigation.

Through our investigation, we were able to identify the suspect in the video as:

                      Kyle Hendrickson age 25.

Hendrickson is known to frequent the seacoast area and southern Maine.

Criminal charges are forthcoming.  The police department is working collaboratively with our federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to conclude our investigation.

UPDATE 2:00 P.M. April 13, 2023:

Portsmouth Police secured an Arrest Warrant for Kyle Hendrickson for the charge of Criminal Threatening with a firearm, a Class B Felony. The investigation into his whereabouts lead us to a residence in Portland, Maine. In collaboration with Portland, ME Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (F.B.I.), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (A.T.F.) Hendrickson was taken into custody just before 2 P.M. on today’s date. Hendrickson will be held as a Fugitive from Justice until he can be brought to New Hampshire to answer this charge.  We would like to thank Portland, ME Police, the F.B.I., A.T.F., and the Portsmouth School District for their assistance and cooperation. 

The impact of closing schools today was not taken lightly, but this allowed the police department to focus on the investigation to identify and locate the suspect. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation and patience as we worked to keep the school community safe.

We have been in continuous communication with the Portsmouth School Administration, and we are both in agreement that the school community is safe to return back to school in Portsmouth tomorrow.  The school will be sending out a communication soon and preparing to welcome students and staff back to school. 

For press inquiries please contact Capt. Dave Keaveny at (603) 610.7511. 

Anonymous tips can be made through Seacoast Crime Stoppers by calling (603) 431-1199, online at www.seacoastcrimestoppers.com and through the “P3” phone app available as a free download.  Rewards of up to $1,000.00 may be paid for help solving cases if the information leads to an arrest or indictment of a suspect(s).