Arrest made in Akins High School social media threat

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - An arrest has been made in connection with a social media threat against Akins High School in South Austin. According to a letter sent out to Akins parents, a student saw the threatening post and told campus administration Wednesday night.

Austin ISD Police immediately began investigating, identified the person and took him into custody. They say there was no threat to campus Thursday but the school district said there would be additional officers there as an extra measure of safety.

FOX 7 Austin spoke with Akins parent Monica Sanchez. She says her freshman son felt safe going to school Thursday. She says that’s because Akins is like a big family.

“Unfortunately this morning I had a conversation with my son about...you know if somebody comes in with a gun you hide. Or figure out a way to be out of harm’s way, don’t worry about your phone, don’t worry about your things just get out of there. It’s not a conversation that I want to have but that’s the era that we’re in unfortunately,” Sanchez said.

In that letter, Akins Principal Tina Salazar told parents “Please emphasize to your children that all such threats — made verbally or over any social media channel — are investigated immediately. Students may be detained or arrested on a charge of making a terroristic threat, even if the threat is not credible.”

Austin ISD won’t confirm the person in custody is a student. District Police Chief Ashley Gonzalez says he is charged with terroristic threat, a third degree felony.

---

News