MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — There has been a surge of school threats across the country, including most recently Medina Valley ISD.
KENS 5 spoke with Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown regarding the latest threats that have caused parents to panic, including a rumored bomb threat Thursday morning.
“For a kid to think it was funny (to) end up with a criminal record, at least a juvenile record, that’s pretty sad,” Brown said.
A 13-year-old boy was arrested in Medina County after deputies investigated social media posts involving schools there, according to the Medina County Sheriff's Office (MCSO).
“That is actually a crime," he said. "Whether you carry out the act or you even have the ability to carry out the act."
In a letter sent out to Medina Valley ISD parents Tuesday, the superintendent said:
"Our administration has been notified of rumors of a school shooting on Wednesday, September 18, circulating on social media and among students on campuses throughout our school district. Administration has been investigating and has determined that there is no credible threat to any of our campuses. Through our investigation in partnership with the Texas Fusion Center, we believe that these rumors stem from a hoax threat that has been circulating the entire state that includes a 'school shooting' list, in which our district is listed. Out of an abundance of caution, there will be additional law enforcement presence throughout our district tomorrow (Wednesday)."
On Wednesday, the Medina Valley Middle School principal sent a letter to parents saying that three rumors were false: that students were arrested on campus, that a gun was found on campus and that drugs were found on campus. All of these rumors have been deemed false by the principal.
“What they’re putting out is something they heard that somebody else put, that somebody else put out," Brown said. "And there’s a lot of rumors that go out and that’s pouring gas out on the fire.”
Sheriff Brown spoke with parents Thursday morning and says it’s unfortunate this has become an reoccurring stressor for them.
“It’s good to be able to have that conversation and let them know what all we’re doing, and that we will always do everything we possibly can to make sure the students are safe, the faculty, everybody.”
MCSO confirmed in a Facebook post Wednesday that it was "actively investigating social media posts involving Medina Valley Schools." They also said that "at this time they have NOT determined the social media chatter to be a credible source."
Three hours later, at 12:22 a.m. Thursday, Sheriff Randy Brown commented on the post saying an unnamed juvenile subject is in custody in relation to this investigation. The post was later updated confirming an arrest has been made.
Sheriff Brown said teaching doesn’t start in the classroom, but rather at home.
“You try to identify children you think you need to spend more time with," Brown said. "You got to get to know the kids, communicate with the kids.”
