WILLIS, Texas – Authorities say a 15-year-old Willis ISD student has been charged after another student and a school official overheard him making a threatening comment towards a school.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says the student was overheard saying the comment, “Shoot this place up,” while he was walking with friends down a hallway at one of the schools in the district.
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An investigation was conducted and as a result, the student was charged with exhibition, use, or threat of exhibition or use of firearms, a Class A misdemeanor.
“This incident serves as a stark and clear warning: any comment or threat made toward public schools, whether intended as a joke or not, will be met with the full force of the law. The safety and security of students, staff, and visitors at Willis I.S.D. are paramount. In today’s climate, schools cannot afford to dismiss any threat, no matter how seemingly insignificant. Even comments made in passing or as a so-called “joke” can have severe legal and financial consequences for those involved,” the sheriff’s office said.
This is the second student charged for making threats at the district this week.
On Monday, authorities announced a 13-year-old student was charged with making a terroristic threat after admitting to making threats against Willis High School, Brabham Middle School, and Lynn Lucas Middle School in social media posts.
“We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to have a serious conversation with their children about the gravity of making threats, regardless of the intent. Emphasize that threats to schools are not jokes and can have devastating, lifelong impacts,” the sheriff’s office said.