HOUSTON, Texas – Santa Fe High School was briefly placed on hold Friday morning while police investigated an online threat on its suicide hotline.
The City of Santa Fe Police Department said they received the online threat at 8:50 a.m. and immediately contacted the SFISD police who then responded to Santa Fe HS to secure the school.
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Santa Fe High School was placed on a brief hold, meaning students stayed inside their classroom while instruction continued.
Santa Fe PD and Santa Fe ISD police both swept the school and determined the threat was fake.
“City and ISD Police are working to determine the origin of the hoax submission, as these threats are taken seriously. These hoax threats can cause harm by diverting critical law enforcement resources and creating significant emotional distress for students, school personnel, and parents.”
If you recall, in 2018, former student Dimitrios Pagourtzis went inside the school and reportedly shot and killed 10 people and injured 13 others.
Now, six years later, Pagourtzis remains incompetent to stand trial and is currently being held at the North Texas State Hospital in Vernon.
Pagourtzis, who is charged with capital murder of multiple persons as well as aggravated assault of a public servant, was initially committed to the state hospital for restorative treatment in November 2019 and has now been recommitted four times by Texas’ 122nd District Court.
Santa Fe ISD sent the following message to parents regarding the incident:
This morning at approximately 8:50, The City of Santa Fe Police Department received an online threat via their suicide hotline. They contacted the SFISD Police and they responded to Santa Fe High School to secure the school.
Per our Campus Safety Protocol, students at Santa Fe High School were put on a Hold. This means that students stay in the classroom and instruction continues.
Local Police and ISD Police swept the halls to ensure student safety.
After an investigation, it was determined to be a hoax online submission. City and ISD Police are working to determine the origin of the hoax submission, as these threats are taken seriously. These hoax threats can cause harm by diverting critical law enforcement resources and creating significant emotional distress for students, school personnel, and parents.
We know that police presence can be alarming in schools. but ensuring the safety of our students and staff are always our top priority.
Thank you, parents and community for being patient and understanding.