Following the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia last week, numerous school threats have been reported across the state of Texas, resulting in several arrests.
Austin police say they have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with the threat to Hill Elementary School in northwest Austin. It’s unclear if the suspect is connected to similar messages, but the indictment says he was trying to make the news.
“The perpetrators have typically been obsessed with previous mass shooters and the notoriety that often comes with that huge publicity coverage, and so in these types of situations it’s important that we don’t name them and don’t give them that public recognition that these individuals seek,” said Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather of the Texas School Safety Center.
On Thursday night, the Llano School District reported a threat against schools in Johnson City, Marble Falls, Llano and Blanco, leading to the arrest of an East Texas resident.
Hays ISD also reported the arrest of three sixth-graders in connection with several threats. The most recent occurred Thursday night, after the social media site Snapchat notified the FBI of a threat against McCormick Middle School.
Copycat threats often increase after school tragedies.
“You typically see what we call a contagion effect, so you’re going to see a very common increase in threats. Some are credible, some are not, but it’s important that each one of them is thoroughly investigated,” Martinez-Prather said.
Although the threats were dismissed as credible, districts ordered increased surveillance.
“All school districts in the state must make available to their campuses a school behavioral threat assessment team. The goal of this is to identify individuals who may be in the path of violence and provide them with early interventions,” she said.
For psychologist Octavio Itzú Solórzano Villalón, parents should also do their part: “Try to understand what motivated them to this type of behavior in order to be able to intervene. Sometimes groups challenge each other for certain supposed feats, right? But at other times it is also a lack of attention.”
Solórzano stressed the importance of monitoring the time children spend on the Internet and social networks.
“If you use it in the right way, it can be very, very useful. The problem is when we don’t have this support, this information on how it should be used properly,” said the expert, who added the importance of improving communication and knowing how to listen to children.
Experts, authorities and school districts are urging anyone who sees or receives such a threat to call the police immediately.
What can parents do to help prevent school threats in Texas?
Table of Contents
Wave of School Threats Hits Texas Following Deadly Shooting in Georgia
In the wake of the devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, a disturbing trend has emerged in Texas. Multiple school threats have been reported across the Lone Star State, resulting in several arrests and heightened security measures. In this article, we will delve into the details of these incidents, explore the motivations behind them, and discuss the importance of early intervention and parental involvement in preventing such threats.
Arrests and Threats
Austin police have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with a threat made against Hill Elementary School in northwest Austin. Although the suspect’s motives are unclear, authorities believe he was seeking publicity and notoriety. This is a common trait among individuals who make school threats, according to Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather of the Texas School Safety Center. “The perpetrators have typically been obsessed with previous mass shooters and the notoriety that often comes with that huge publicity coverage, and so in these types of situations, it’s important that we don’t name them and don’t give them that public recognition that these individuals seek,” she emphasized.
In another incident, the Llano School District reported a threat against schools in Johnson City, Marble Falls, Llano, and Blanco, leading to the arrest of an East Texas resident. Meanwhile, Hays ISD arrested three sixth-graders in connection with several threats, including one that was reported by Snapchat to the FBI.
The Contagion Effect
Unfortunately, copycat threats often increase in the aftermath of school tragedies. This phenomenon is known as the “contagion effect.” As Dr. Martinez-Prather explained, “You typically see what we call a contagion effect, so you’re going to see a very common increase in threats. Some are credible, some are not, but it’s important that each one of them is thoroughly investigated.” While the threats were dismissed as credible, districts have nonetheless ordered increased surveillance to ensure student safety.
Prevention and Early Intervention
To combat the rising tide of school threats, it is essential to identify individuals who may be on the path to violence and provide them with early interventions. According to Dr. Martinez-Prather, “All school districts in the state must make available to their campuses a school behavioral threat assessment team. The goal of this is to identify individuals who may be in the path of violence and provide them with early interventions.” Parents also play a critical role in preventing school threats. As psychologist Octavio Itzú Solórzano Villalón noted, “Try to understand what motivated them to this type of behavior in order to be able to intervene. Sometimes groups can influence individuals, so it’s essential to understand the context in which these behaviors are emerging.”
Conclusion
The recent wave of school threats in Texas is a sobering reminder of the need for vigilance and cooperation in preventing violence in our schools. By understanding the motivations behind these threats, providing early interventions, and involving parents in the process, we can create safer learning environments for our children. As the Texas School Safety Center’s Dr. Martinez-Prather emphasized, “It’s important that we don’t give these individuals the recognition they seek, and instead, focus on identifying and supporting those who may be struggling.”
Keywords: school threats, Texas, Georgia, Apalachee High School, Austin, Hill Elementary School, Llano School District, Hays ISD, copycat threats, contagion effect, school safety, early intervention, parental involvement, Texas School Safety Center.
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Wave of School Threats Hits Texas Following Deadly Shooting in Georgia
In the wake of the devastating school shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, a disturbing trend has emerged in Texas. Multiple school threats have been reported across the Lone Star State, resulting in several arrests and heightened security measures. In this article, we will delve into the details of these incidents, explore the motivations behind them, and discuss the importance of early intervention and parental involvement in preventing such threats.
Arrests and Threats
Austin police have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with a threat made against Hill Elementary School in northwest Austin. Although the suspect’s motives are unclear, authorities believe he was seeking publicity and notoriety, a common trait among individuals who make school threats, according to Dr. Kathy Martinez-Prather of the Texas
