Charges reduced for Mass. teacher accused of threatening to bring gun to school

A former Hanover High School teacher accused of threatening to bring a gun to school appeared Wednesday in court where the charge he was facing was reduced.

Kenneth Decie was initially charged with making terrorist threats but the charge was changed at his arraignment to making a threat to commit a crime, Boston 25 News reports.

The charge stems from an incident in September 2023 when Decie was allegedly complaining to his union representative inside a private teacher pod at the school about disciplinary action he was facing. A colleague told police they overheard Decie say, “When something like that happens, it makes me want to go home and get my rifle.”

Decie has since been fired and a police search of his home did not produce a gun, court documents show. 

His lawyer said his words were taken out of context, according to the station. 

Decie was ordered on Wednesday to stay away from Hanover High School and have no contact with certain school staff. He is due back in court in June.