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Teen's Threat To School In Yorktown 'Inappropriate Joke,' Father Says

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, N.Y. -- Robert Mohr is concerned what he believes was an inappropriate joke by his son may ruin his life.

Dylan Carbone, with his father Robert Mohr.

Dylan Carbone, with his father Robert Mohr.

Photo Credit: Sam Barron

Mohr's son, Dylan Carbone, a 16-year-old Brewster resident, was arrested and charged by Yorktown Police last week with making a terroristic threat, a Class D felony after police said Carbone and another teen, Cameron Callahan-Monroe, a 16-year-old Poughkeepsie resident said the planned to bring a gun to "shoot up" Fox Meadow School in Yorktown.

Fox Meadow, which is run by Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES serves students in grades 7 through 12 with a variety of social, emotional and learning needs.

According to an incident report filed by the school obtained by Daily Voice, students were discussing the upcoming presidential election in an eighth-period U.S. History and Government class taught by Nathan Ball.

Carbone expressed his support for Donald Trump, saying, "At least with Trump, you'll be able to keep your guns."

Students then broke into a discussion about the Second Amendment and Carbone and a student, whose name was crossed out in the report, had a "friendly" discussion about hunting rifles before debating about which gun shot which size bullet.

At 12:45 p.m., the other student got frustrated with Carbone and said, "Dude, I can bring it in and show you that you are wrong."

An unidentified student responded, "Did you just say you were going to bring a gun to school?"

The other student said, "Yeah, don't come to school on Monday, I am bringing my gun."

Ball interrupted the other student and said he would need to report him. According to the report, Carbone responded, "That is one of my triggers, I feel like I have to shoot up the place."

Carbone said he actually said, "That's one of my triggers- school shootings," making a joke about "trigger warnings," which are when people are alerted to the fact that something may contain potentially distressing material.

"It was an ill-timed joke," Mohr said. "It was not meant to be taken seriously. Dylan has no prior criminal record. He's a good kid. He was just starting to get his life together. Now he might not be able to get a job, even if he is exonerated. This could damage him for the rest of his life."

Carbone admits that he made an inappropriate comment, but he would never say he wanted to shoot up a school.

"I can be stupid, but I'm not that stupid," Carbone said.

In an audio recording of a hearing to determine Carbone's suspension obtained by Daily Voice, Ball said he did not feel threatened by what Carbone said and did not believe he would shoot up the school.

The school said they talked to the other student about what he said and why it was inappropriate, but when they tried to talk to Carbone, he ignored them and got on the school bus. Mohr is upset they didn't make more of an effort to talk to Carbone and explain to him why his comments were inappropriate before going to police and charging him with a felony.

Mohr said Carbone rushed to get on the bus because if he missed the bus he would be stuck at school until the evening, while the district said the bus would've waited for Carbone while they were done speaking with him.

"They talk to kids about bullying and sexual harassment, but not about this," Mohr said. "All students should know, this is what happens when you make light of things like that."

The hearing was adjourned so Mohr could consult with a lawyer before he had Carbone testify. Carbone is currently suspended and is receiving two hours of alternative instruction. He is prohibited from being on school grounds during his suspension.

"Why did this jump to a felony?" Mohr said. "It's a scary world when they take your kid and charge him like this."

Mohr said Yorktown Police told him that if Carbone pleaded guilty, he would probably only face probation, but Mohr refuses, since he says his son is innocent.

"I can't let this go," Mohr said. "I'll fight this, even if I have to represent him myself. He didn't do it and I am adamant about this."

John McCarthy, assistant superintendent for administration at BOCES, said that Putnam Northern Westchester BOCES is committed to making sure all programs provide a safe learning environment for students and staff and that issues are dealt with immediately and appropriately. 

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