The Amarillo Police Department said Wednesday that authorities determined reports of threats to local schools were false, and no actual threats were made at any point Monday and Tuesday.
On the evening of Sept. 9, “School Liaison Officers were notified of a vague, non-specific threat of violence circulating on social media,” APD said. Police said that a concerned student at Austin Middle School had brought the matter to the attention of authorities.
“It is important to note that there were no threats made towards any Amarillo schools or students,” APD said in the community update. “However, out of an abundance of caution, and because the Amarillo Police Department takes all threats against schools and students seriously”, APD said they had an increased police presence at the school.
Additional police officers were on hand at Austin Middle School to provide reassurance to students, staff, parents, and the community that “safety of our children is our top priority.”
On Tuesday, an unrelated threat directed at three Amarillo middle schools began circulating on social media, according to police. APD immediately launched an investigation using School Liaison and Proactive Criminal Enforcement (PACE) officers. “After following all leads, the threat was determined to be a false report,” APD said. “Nonetheless, we increased officer presence at those schools as a precaution until the situation was fully resolved.”