Police Chief Angry He Wasn't Alerted to Fourth Grader's 'Hit List'

Feb. 12, 2014 -- A Massachusetts police chief is angry that school officials did not tell cops about a "hit list" written by a fourth grade boy.

Attleboro Police Chief Kyle Heagney told ABC News, "the note was officially passed to us, 8 a.m. Tuesday morning, a week and a day later."

Parents brought their frustrations with the administration to the local newspaper before the case was reported to authorities.

"I read it in the paper," Heagney said.

Last Monday, a substitute teacher at Hill-Roberts Elementary School found a note with the words "To Kill" in big block letters at the top of the page and a list of names, "some with three or four check marks, some were crossed out," according to Heagney.

It is unclear how many names were on the list. "Less than 12 but more than half a dozen," said Heagney.

"As the chief of police, I'm concerned no one inquired whether this boy had access to firearms," he said.

"A 9 year old can kill with finality just as an adult can," Heagney added. "We are still dealing with a very real threat... I'm disappointed that we weren't notified in an expedient fashion."

School Superintendent Kenneth Sheehan said in a statement that he "feels confident that ALL of the students involved are safe" and that he "will continue to take the necessary steps to keep them safe."

The student believed to have written the ominous note is scheduled for a risk assessment with a psychologist to determine if he posed a threat. "A very thorough investigation is underway and all of the appropriate people and agencies will be involved," Sheehan said.

The results of the test will determine whether or not he returns to the school system, said Heagney.

"We are looking at what his overall intent was, the ability to carry out that threat, and the opportunity," said Heagney.

"We are working to develop better communications with the school," said Heagney. "There is no justification for why we weren't notified, we are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week."