Shortsleeve Outraged on Release of Cape Cod Man Charged With School Shooting Threat

BOSTON, MA –  Today, Marine Corps Veteran, successful business leader, and proven government reformer Brian Shortsleeve, Republican candidate for governor expressed deep outrage on the release of an 18-year-old Falmouth man charged with making credible threats of a school shooting.

“This is a failure of our justice system at the most basic level,” said Shortsleeve.  “A young man who allegedly expressed intent to carry out a school shooting, who possessed images glorifying Columbine, and who owned a 3D printer capable of manufacturing firearms, should not have been released on $2,500 of bail.”

Ian Fotheringham, 18, was arrested after Falmouth Police and State Police investigations revealed he had allegedly made direct threats to “shoot up a school” and was found near school grounds under suspicious circumstances.  Authorities also recovered materials consistent with an ability to manufacture weapons and digital evidence that suggests a fixation on mass shootings.

Despite these findings, a Cape Cod judge granted bail at just $2,500.

“Massachusetts families deserve better than this.  As a father and as a candidate for governor, I will not accept a system where dangerous individuals are allowed back into our communities simply because they can post bail,” said Shortsleeve.   “We need comprehensive bail reform that prioritizes public safety.”

Shortsleeve called for the Massachusetts Legislature to immediately review standards for bail in cases involving threats of mass violence.

“Parents are afraid to send their children to school.  I don’t blame them.  We need to send a clear message that credible threats need to be treated with the utmost seriousness.  The safety of our children must be our number one priority,” he added.