1 student arrested in connection to online threats against Fort Worth ISD schools: police
Fort Worth police say they have responded to over a dozen threats against area schools this week, and one student was arrested.
A police spokesperson told the Star-Telegram that the threats were made over social media and the School Resource Unit is “working diligently to identify the sources of these threats and address them swiftly.”
A Fort Worth ISD student was arrested in connection with at least one of the threats, according to police. The student is a juvenile, so their name won’t be released.
Fort Worth ISD spokesperson Jessica Becerra said the threats weren’t found to be credible, but each one is taken seriously.
“We want to make sure we don’t miss anything,” Becerra said.
Each threat the district becomes aware of is immediately shared with law enforcement, according to Becerra. Students who find out about something should let a teacher or other school authority know right away.
Threats were made against Southwest High School and Wedgwood Middle School, according to the district, and Wedgwood saw an increased police presence on campus Wednesday in response to the threats.
“Local authorities are investigating the claim and do not believe the information posted is credible,” district officials said in a letter to parents obtained by the Star-Telegram. “However, please know that we take all matters of student safety seriously.”
Fort Worth police said in a social media post that there’s been an increase in the number of online school threats, as threats were reported and investigated in several states on Wednesday.
“It is a serious crime when students make a threat against a school, whether real or a hoax,” the police post reads. “We take threats seriously when it comes to our school aged children, and we WILL arrest anyone responsible for creating those posts.”
In a statement on social media, the Fort Worth school district said it is aware of “posts circulating unconfirmed threats across several campuses. ... While school districts across the state are seeing similar posts, we ask our FWISD community to stay alert. If you or someone you know sees one of these threats, notify your campus immediately.”
The Arlington Police Department said Thursday that they are aware of threats against Arlington ISD schools circulating on social media and are “vigorously investigating.”
“We encourage parents to monitor what their kids are posting to social media and to have frank conversations with them about the consequences for posting threatening messages,” Arlington police said in a social media post.
Azle Jr. High was placed on lockdown Wednesday after students thought they heard gunshots near the school. Police searched and cleared the building and didn’t find an active threat, school officials said in a social media post. It’s now believed the sounds were caused by nearby construction.
A student was arrested at Richland Middle School, which is part of Birdville ISD, after making threats during a fight with another student Wednesday.
“Though the threat was not made against the school, there is a rumor being circulated that there was a gun on campus today and the threat of a school shooting. Neither of these statements are credible,” school officials said on social media.
Additional staff will be present at Richland Middle School on Thursday “out of an abundance of caution,” according to the post.
A number of other North Texas school districts, including Waxahachie, Irving, DeSoto and Kemp, received threats this week, according to KXAS-TV reporting.
Fort Worth police and school officials are encouraging parents to talk with their children about the seriousness of posting a threatening message online.
“We will always take the necessary steps to protect students, teachers, and school staff so that all can come to school and learn, work and play,” police said in their post.
This story was originally published September 11, 2024 at 5:02 PM.
