US state of New York increases police patrols around schools

NEW YORK - The US state of New York Friday ordered police to increase its patrols around schools statewide following two incidents of "copycat" threats that have been made in the aftermath of Parkland, Florida high school massacre two days ago.

"While this morning's incidents have been resolved, the school system and local police departments remain on full alert," said New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a press release on Friday. "Out of an abundance of caution, I am ordering the State Police to increase its patrols around schools statewide."

Cuomo said two schools in upstate New York had what appears to be "copycat" threats made by students threatening violence and saying they would bring guns to schools.

Both students who made the threats of violence to their schools are in police custody, he said. The two schools resumed operations after a brief closure in the morning.

On Wednesday, a gunman opened fire at a high school in Parkland, Florida, killing 17 and injuring at least 14 others. The 19-year-old suspect Nikolas Cruz, a former student at the high school, is currently being held without bond on 17 counts of premeditated murder.