LUBBOCK – Around 1:30 pm on Sept. 9, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) was notified of potential bomb threats made against Coronado High School in the Lubbock Independent School District (LISD) and Frenship High School in the Frenship Independent School District (FISD). DPS immediately contacted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and began investigating. The following day, investigators discovered the same suspect made additional threats against the schools, as well as Lubbock High School and Monterey High School in LISD and Lubbock-Cooper High School in the Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District (LCISD). It was determined early on that the threats against the schools were not credible.
Working in collaboration with LISD, FISD, and LCISD officials, DPS Special Agents and FBI Special Agents identified and located a juvenile male suspect in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Prosecutors from Lubbock County, Texas, and El Paso County, Colorado, are now working on potential charges. Five juvenile suspects from the Lubbock area are currently being interviewed for their role in perpetuating the false threats.
The department would like to remind Texans that all school threats—whether they are legitimate or a prank—are a felony under Texas state law and can result in severe consequences, including arrest by law enforcement, a permanent criminal record, heavy fines, and even jail time.
DPS urges the public to report all suspicious behavior, including criminal, terroristic, or school safety-related threats, through the iWatchTexas program via the mobile app, online at iWatchTexas.org, or by calling 1-844-643-2251. All reports are confidential and reviewed by law enforcement analysts. Remember, iWatch Texas is not designed to report emergencies. If a situation requires an emergency response, call 911.
