TEMPLE, Texas — Several school districts across Central Texas received threats made via social media overnight, prompting concerns from parents, students and staff -- especially with it being the 23rd anniversary of 9/11 and last week's deadly shooting that happened at a Georgia high school.
THE QUESTION
Were the threats made to Central Texas schools credible?
THE SOURCES
- Georgia Department of Education
- Temple ISD
- Belton ISD, Belton Police Department
- Killeen ISD
- Copperas Cove ISD
- Waco ISD
THE ANSWER
No. The social media threats were false.
WHAT WE FOUND
A TikTok video containing a list schools was posted on Sept. 10 where the user wrote "List of the schools that are targeted 2024 part1: I'm on the last :(." The video has almost 1 million views as of 3 p.m. on Sept. 11.
The video, however, does not specify "school shooting" or in what way the schools were targeted.
Upon investigating, we found the original list that was featured in the video, which you can view here. It's a list that was released by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) and it identified 2024 Title 1 Schools Schoolwide (SWP) and Targeted Assisted (TA). According to the GaDOE, "Title I, Part A funds provide supplemental funding to support educators in improving the academic achievement of students who are economically and educationally disadvantaged."
Furthermore, Temple ISD released a statement to parents about the circulating video. In the statement, Temple ISD said, "one of the schools named was Temple Elementary and other school names that share similar names to ones in Temple ISD. Administration immediately contacted authorities and it has been determined that this social media post is referring to a list of schools from another state. Further, there is no such school named Temple Elementary here in Temple ISD."
Meanwhile, letters were also sent to parents with children attending Belton, Killeen and Copperas Cove ISDs. Each district says they were made aware of potential threats circulating on social media overnight and that they were investigated by local police departments.
"Belton PD and their investigation has discovered that similar non-credible messages have been circulating in other communities and have found no evidence of credibility," Belton ISD Superintendent Dr. Malinda Golden wrote.
The Texas Education Agency reportedly notified Killeen ISD and Copperas Cove ISD superintendents about the threats. At this time, it is not confirmed if the TEA also notified other local school districts.
However, "the Texas Education Agency notified KISD administrators this morning that Texas schools are being victimized by untrue and unwarranted social media threats," KISD Superintendent Dr. Jo Ann Fey wrote to parents. "We want you to know that we are tracking these threats and supporting our campuses with investigations and extra police presence."
Copperas Cove ISD's Superintendent Dr. Joe Burn said the alleged threat was "made by a student at Copperas Cove High School, who is not in today," according to a letter sent to parents. "Copperas Cove Police have concluded their investigation and been unable to substantiate any threats made against the campus at this time."
We also reached out to Waco ISD to see if any threats were made toward its schools. Waco ISD Spokeswoman Wendy Sledd said there was suspicious activity reported outside of Tennyson Middle School, causing a brief lockdown between 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
"Nothing inside the school or on school grounds," she told 6 News.
Sledd also said no threats were made to its other Waco ISD campuses.