South Korean arrested for 2012 school shooting threats

NEWARK, N.J. — Due to the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), HSI Seoul special agents and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency arrested a South Korean national for threatening to kill students at Hackettstown High School with an AK-47.

Dae Woong Lee, 20, of South Korea, was arrested June 3, and charged in Korea with obstruction of business. He will not face additional charges in the United States.

On March 26, 2012, the Warren County 911 Center received two calls from an individual identifying himself as Kevin McGowan. The caller indicated that he was in the vicinity of Hackettstown High School with an AK-47 and was threatening to kill students. The Hackettstown School District initiated a lockdown of the high school and nearby schools. Eventually, law enforcement officials determined there was no imminent threat to any students. The lockdown was lifted, and students were released for the day.

As the investigation proceeded, various law enforcement agencies provided investigative and technical assistance to the Hackettstown Police Department. Law enforcement officials determined that the target of the investigation was located in South Korea. HSI Seoul worked with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency to locate Lee.

On June 3, HSI Seoul reported Lee's arrest. Lee currently serves in the Korean military. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine up to 15,000,000 Korean Won, which is equivalent to approximately $15,000 U.S. dollars.