Girl, 14, Taken into Custody After Online School Shooting Threat

After Threat, 20-Percent More Students Stayed Home Wednesday Than On an Average School Day

A threat on social media against La Grange ISD caused a scare for parents, students and staff at the school this week.

Deputies from the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office detained a 14-year-old female whom allegedly threatened to shoot people at the school.

The episode started Tuesday afternoon. La Grange ISD informed parents at 8:30 p.m. about a vague threat made on social media. The post circulated around several schools in Texas. The post stated:

“Taking into consideration, I will change up my mind and decide if I should shoot up the school Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. You decide if you must take the chance to risk your life. Think smart! I have my pistol ready. Say goodbye tomorrow could possibly be the last day you see your family.”

Investigators determined the post originated from a student at Klein ISD near Houston.

Later that night, though, another threat mentioning La Grange ISD appeared on the social media platform TikTok:

“What is the best day to sh00t my school up I am trying to decide LGISD is not safe anymore. I’m coming for all of you one day. Very soon.”

That post quickly spread among students and parents Tuesday night. La Grange Police Chief David Gilbreath said he sent the threatening post to the FBI’s National Threat Assessment Team. By early Wednesday morning, he said, the FBI investigators tracked the post to a 14-year-old La Grange student. The student lived outside the city limits. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office detained her at her home at 6 a.m., before school began on Wednesday. La Grange Police and the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office posted extra officers at all campuses on Wednesday as a precaution. Lt. David Beyer of the Sheriff’s Office said the teen suspect was transported to a juvenile detention center in Victoria.

Many parents decided to keep their kids home from school on Wednesday. LGISD Superintendent Bill Wagner said attendance was down to 73 percent on Wednesday, compared to an average daily attendance rate of 93 percent.

The district told middle school and high school students to leave their backpacks at home on Wednesday and Thursday as a precaution.

Wagner said the school would likely impose a policy regarding backpacks in the future. He said campus principals were working on that policy Wednesday and would inform parents once it is finalized. Wagner said the student would face school discipline once the court case is finalized. He said the school’s code of conduct stipulates placement in a disciplinary alternative education program for up to 175 school days.