On December 16, another juvenile was arrested in North Texas in connection to a threat made against a school this week. Arlington police charged the middle school student with making a terroristic threat, police stated. Police determined it was not a legitimate threat, and he didn’t intend to act on it.
This isn’t the first alleged school threat to happen; in fact, it’s a part of a string of recent threats. Retired Dallas Police Chief Craig Miller has worked with schools in Dallas for almost a decade and said that he has witnessed a rise in threats against schools on social media. He says it’s common before holiday break or finals.
“I think it’s really important for kids to understand that there are consequences for their actions,” Miller said. “This stuff is gonna follow you throughout your entire life.”
On December 6, a juvenile was arrested in connection with a threat sent to Marcus High School in Lewisville ISD. A similar threat was made against Flower Mound High School, but Flower Mound police said they identified a juvenile and arrested him on Monday, December 13.
In Frisco ISD, classes were canceled for two days at Lone Star High School after similar threats were made. Lone Star students returned to class on Wednesday.
The FBI Dallas office is now involved with the current caseload of school threats. “Issuing a threat – even over social media, via text message, or through email – is a federal crime,” the FBI said.
They have said that law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and responding to hoax threats doesn’t help that problem.
“Hoax threats disrupt school, waste limited law enforcement resources, and put first responders in unnecessary danger,” said David Bowdich, the FBI Deputy Director. “We also don’t want to see a young person start out adulthood with a felony record over an impulsive social media post. It’s not a joke; always think before you post.”
The FBI is continuing the investigation into the alleged threats.