FBI, Austin ISD Track Online Threat Targeting Three Local Schools

Federal and local police are looking into social media threats against 14 schools in Texas, including three elementary schools in the Austin Independent School District in Central Texas. The threats came after a picture of a person in a mask holding two guns went viral online, according to officials.

An FBI field office in the area told the Austin ISD Police Department about the threat on Tuesday. The letter sent Monday to families and workers at Andrews, Baranoff, and Barrington elementary schools says the threat was real. The online post did not say what date or time it was, but the picture made officials even more worried.

Austin ISD stated in the letter to families that they will not tolerate any threats against our school community. The school district said that there will be more police on campus during the investigation "to ensure the safety of students and staff."

Austin ISD officials said Thursday night that a threat on social media that named three elementary schools seemed to have come from outside of the United States. However, police will keep the schools more secure while federal probes find out where the threat came from.

Austin ISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed told families in a letter that the FBI had told the district earlier this week about an online post that mentioned 14 Texas schools, such as Andrews, Baranoff, and Barrington elementary schools. To protect students and staff, district leaders quickly talked to college officials and the police.

As of today, Sneed wrote, "We learned that the threat seems to come from outside the country." However, to ensure safety, the Austin ISD Police will closely monitor Andrews, Baranoff, and Barrington elementary schools.

They say they are in touch with the FBI as the investigation goes on. Officials have not found any proof that someone in the area was after the Austin schools. There was no time or date on the threat.

Sneed said that the event did put stress on families and that the district makes sure that people know what is going on quickly during major crises.

He said that they tell their families and coworkers even if the first review does not find a threat. "We think families should get the facts from us first, not from social media or neighborhood apps."

The FBI told people to stay alert and to tell their local police right away about any strange behavior. Calling 1-800-CALL-FBI or going to tips.fbi.gov to leave a tip is another safe way to do it.

Austin ISD also told people in the community to call the AISD Police non-emergency line at 512-414-1703 if they see any strange or worrying behavior near schools or on school grounds.

District officials stressed again how important it is for students to not share online threat posts but instead tell an adult they trust about them so that school police can investigate quickly and correctly.

In the past few years, school districts across the state have faced similar online threats. These threats often led to instant safety measures and law enforcement working together, even when details about the timing or suspects were not available.