UPDATE | West Orange-Cove CISD has stated that there were no threats made to the school district, and the idea was most likely based on rumor.
In a post to Facebook Monday night West Orange-Cove CISD said:
Cove CISD has received many questions regarding possible terroristic threats made towards our school today. We want to let our school community know that we have investigated these allegations and believe that they are based upon rumor. These rumors have proven to be false.
We will work with law enforcement to prosecute any threat to our school that is found to be valid.
The safety of our students is always our highest priority.
Some parents in the West Orange-Cove CISD say a lack of communication about threats made against the schools has them concerned, especially in the wake of the events in Florida.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED |
District Spokesperson Lorraine Shannon released a statement to 12News on Monday, that said:
"As oftentimes occurs after a tragic school shooting, another school can experience unidentifiable threats from social media and other sources. We are currently addressing statements that have been brought to our attention. We are taking these statements seriously. The safety of our students is our highest priority."
Maria Dartez has a daughter in the district. She says she first learned of the threat when her 16-year-old told her about it after hearing it from others at the school. Dartez says this is not the way parents want to learn this kind of news.
"For my 16-year-old to come home and say, 'momma, I'm scared to go to school,' I have a problem with that," Dartez said.
Brenda Fleming, the 16-year-old's grandmother, had a similar reaction. "It's really threatening. I've never seen anything like this in my entire life. We've seen the killings in Colorado, Las Vegas and now in Florida. When it hits here, even if it is just a threat, or not a threat, or even a prank, it's serious business," she said.
There is extra security this week on campus. The district has not released any further information.