AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 16-year-old boy was arrested in Harris County in connection with a threat against Lake Travis High School, Lake Travis Independent School District Paul Norton said in a letter to staff and parents Wednesday.
The teen was arrested earlier on Wednesday by the Lake Travis ISD Police Department and was charged with a terroristic threat against LTHS, Norton said.
On Sept. 24, a student at LTHS received a text message saying, “ima shoot up ur school” and “nu my first target watch out,” the letter said.
“The threat created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among students, staff, and parents, and it caused a significant disruption to the instructional day,” Norton said in the letter.
The letter said although law enforcement officials determined the threat was not credible, it was “vigorously and thoroughly investigated.”
“A similar threat made last month against Hudson Bend Middle School remains under investigation. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Rest assured that our school leaders and law enforcement continue to be relentless in their duties,” Norton said.
Wednesday’s arrest is the second in two days connected to other threats in the district, the letter said.
In September, Nexstar stations across Texas reported threats to at least 20 schools. Several districts in Central Texas included Austin ISD, Hays CISD, Marble Falls ISD, Pflugerville ISD and more.
The most recent threat happened at San Marcos High School on Sept. 24. According to the district, it said a threat was made through an “anonymous phone call.” The district also said two juvenile students reported seeing the gunman and receiving text messages associated to the incident. The San Marcos Police Department later confirmed that threat to be a hoax.
Norton reminded parents they should continue to talk with their children “about the severe consequences of these actions.”
Read the full letter from Norton provided by the district below:
Dear Lake Travis ISD Staff and Parents/Guardians,
Earlier this afternoon, a 16-year old male who resides in Harris County was arrested by the Lake Travis ISD Police Department and charged with Terroristic Threat against Lake Travis High School.
As you may already know, on September 24, 2024, a student at Lake Travis High School received a text message indicating, “ima shoot up ur school” and “n u my first target watch out.” The threat created an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among students, staff, and parents, and it caused a significant disruption to the instructional day. Although law enforcement officials were able to quickly determine that the threat posed no immediate danger to students and staff, the incident was vigorously and thoroughly investigated, resulting in today’s arrest.
A similar threat made last month against Hudson Bend Middle School remains under investigation. We will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Rest assured that our school leaders and law enforcement continue to be relentless in their duties.
Today’s arrest is the second in two days in connection with recent school threats in our district. Although these threats have not been credible, we urge all parents to continue talking with their children about the severe consequences of these actions. As a reminder, our Cavs Who Care tip line is available to all students, staff, and parents 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Thank you for your continued trust and support. Together, we will ensure that our schools remain a safe and nurturing environment for all students and staff.
LTISD Superintendent Paul Norton