BEAUMONT, Texas — Hardin County deputies are investigating a threat Wednesday morning that was made against Hardin-Jefferson High School overnight.
Deputies with the Hardin County Sheriff's Office and the Hardin County Precinct Four Constable's Office investigated the threat overnight according to a post from the Hardin-Jefferson Independent School District just after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning.
The district announced that there would be an extra presence of law enforcement on the campus on Wednesday.
Nearly two and a half hours later the district announced that they were aware of a post on social media alleging that a Hardin-Jefferson football player was being investigated for the threat and say that it is not true.
"That information is false. The person in the picture is an individual that has graduated and has no connection to this investigation," the district said in the update posted to Facebook.
During the investigation there has been a "very active dialogue" between the sheriff's office, constables and the superintendent's office, according to Hardin County Sheriff Mark Davis.
Investigators have spoken to a student and his family as part of the investigation, Davis said.
Currently there is no danger to the district, according to Davis.
Investigators are working with internet providers and social media companies to determine the source of the original post and their findings will be turned over to the district attorney's office for review, Davis told 12News.
A parent sent 12News a screenshot of the alleged threat made on Instagram stories that appeared to be posted around 2 a.m. Wednesday morning. The parent also sent a screenshot of a photo posted by the same account four days ago that appeared to show a teen wearing a mask and holding a semi-automatic hand gun fitted with a high-capacity magazine.
Here's what the district posted to Facebook Wednesday morning...
9:21 a.m. - "HJISD has been made aware of a social media post that identities a Hardin-Jefferson football player as the individual that is under investigation for making a threat to Hardin-Jefferson High School.
That information is false. The person in the picture is an individual that has graduated and has no connection to this investigation.
We will continue to update the community as more information is cleared to be released by authorities."
7:04 a.m. - "Overnight, the district was made aware of a social media threat toward Hardin-Jefferson High School.
The Hardin County Constable's Office and the Hardin County Sheriff's Office have been investigating throughout the night. Law enforcement is working with social media companies to track the origin of these posts.
Districts across the state have been dealing with an abundance of social media threats in the last two weeks. These threats are all taken seriously and investigated fully.
Student safety remains the primary focus for HJISD. In an abundance of caution, there will be an increased law enforcement presence on campus."
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
The Crime Stoppers tip line and app are available and have been used by students and parents to report school threats according to Crime Stoppers Director Jeremy Raley.
He says it's good for kids and staff to know the app is always available and that anyone can report concerning behavior that they may be too scared to talk about, personally.
"It's another tool in the school's tool bag and the students because they learn a lot more than they are giving up information on. They are around the students all day long," Raley said.
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It's also important for parents to make sure they are aware of what is being posted to social media according to Raley.
"Have that relationship with your child that way if they see something they aren't comfortable with they can approach you and report it," Raley said.
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.