Central Texas school districts respond to vague threats on social media

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Several Central Texas school districts have acknowledged a nonspecific school shooting threat circulating across social media platforms on Wednesday and Thursday.

A Hays CISD spokesperson advised parents of the threat through email Thursday morning, saying their “law enforcement partners are investigating the threat.”

The spokesperson followed that email up Thursday afternoon, telling parents, “Those threats have been determined to have originated outside of our area and are similar to threats that circulated [Wednesday] in other parts of the state.”

“We continue to believe that there is no actual threat to the campus; but we also continue to remain vigilant, active in the investigation, and steadfast in our efforts to ensure all campuses are safe,” the Hays CISD spokesperson continued.

Marble Falls ISD posted similarly on Facebook Thursday morning, saying administrators had no reason to believe the threats posed any risks to schools. Still, it said there would be an increased security presence on campuses.

“Unfortunately, because of social media, kids are perpetuating these posts even though they have nothing to do with that student’s school or school district,” a Marble ISD spokesperson wrote in a post on Facebook.

“All campuses are running as normal.  When we have anything like this come up, whether true or false, Marble Falls Police Department has an increased presence on campuses with assistance from other agencies,” the post continued.

Hays 6th grader questioned

Hays CISD sent an email to district families on Thursday, in which it claimed that the Hays County Sheriff’s office “detained a 6 ^th grader from one of Hays CISD’s middle schools for locally contributing to the spread of social media school shooting threats.”

Hays County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it charged a minor Thursday with felony false report.

In order to convict the child, prosecutors would need to prove that the child knew the social media posts were false. A HCSO public information officer tells KXAN that if convicted, the minor would not be sentenced to confinement in a state jail due to their age.

Hays CISD said that HCSO is investigating other students for violations of the statute. It is unknown if adults who shared the posts are also under investigation.

“I know this type of social media activity is alarming and frustrating for you – our parents and students,” said Hays CISD in an email to parents. “It’s equally that way for law enforcement, school administrators, and everyone who is disrupted and distressed because of these posts. Despite the fact these types of posts are sadly far too common, know that we never tire in our efforts to maintain safety and that we continue to take each and every threat seriously.”

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