AUSTIN, Texas — Multiple local law enforcement agencies have taken people into custody after various school districts across Central Texas received social media threats this week.
A man was arrested in connection with a threat to an Austin elementary school, and students have been taken into custody in connection with threats to other districts.
Hays CISD middle schoolers face charges for alleged threat
Three middle school students at Hays CISD now face legal consequences after district leaders said they helped spread a fake shooting threat on social media.
Hays CISD started investigating threats Wednesday night before a sixth grader was later detained for allegedly spreading a threat that specifically mentioned Simon Middle School. A second student, who is friends with the sixth grader, was also detained on Friday.
In an unrelated incident, a third middle school student has been charged related to a threat against McCormick Middle School.
On Thursday night, Snapchat reported a threat against the middle school to the FBI, which then alerted the Hays County Sheriff's Office. The district said the student did not have the means to carry out the threat but admitted to posting it.
Student arrested for alleged threats to multiple districts
In a letter to parents on Friday, Marble Falls ISD said over the past two weeks, "...schools and districts across the state [have been] fielding social media rumors and threats," including at Marble Falls ISD.
On Thursday evening, the district said it was made aware of a new social media threat that included Marble Falls ISD and other local districts. Meanwhile, both Blanco and Llano ISDs also said officials were investigating a threat circulating social media regarding potential violence in schools in Johnson City, Marble Falls, Llano and Blanco.
Blanco ISD said in an update late Thursday night that "the person responsible for the threatening post is in custody and does not pose a threat." In the Friday morning email, Marble Falls ISD said "a student was taken into custody for investigation."
Marble Falls, Johnson City, Blanco and Llano ISDs all said they have increased law enforcement presence on campuses in response to the threats.
Confusion at Liberty Hill ISD
Meanwhile, in Liberty Hill ISD, students reported threatening images to an on-campus officer of a young student with a gun.
Within minutes, the district found a "Liberty school" mentioned on a long list of schools in a social media post where a student was allegedly threatening to attack. The district then learned that school was actually in Georgia.
"We appreciate the students who immediately went to their campus officer when they saw the images online," the district said in a statement. "This allowed us to initiate an immediate investigation and retrieve the outcome quickly."
Reaction after threats
In addition to the districts already mentioned, Manor and Hutto ISDs also sent notes to parents Thursday about social media threats. On Friday, Cedar Park police said they were aware of a social media post reporting a shooting at "Cedar Park High/Vista Ridge," but said there has not be an active shooting on either campus.
Despite varying sources, school districts must take every threat seriously.
"In society now, in the times that we're in, unfortunately, every threat that comes out, we take serious until we can prove it is not," said Chris Rybarski, chief of police for Liberty Hill ISD.
Officials at multiple districts, including Liberty Hill ISD, said students making or spreading threats will be held accountable, regardless of whether the threats turns out to be fake.
"Our stance here is if a threat is made against our campus or our district, that we are going to prosecute. We will file charges, and we will arrest," Rybarski said.
Rybarski said to avoid getting charged for spreading threats, if a child shows their parent something that could be perceived as a threat, the parent should immediately notify law enforcement and the school.