KOUNTZE, Texas — A now-former Hardin-Jefferson High School student has been charged with making a terroristic threat in connection with an incident last week.
Hardin County deputies arrested the 16-year-old male suspect on Monday morning, September 23, 2024, and took him to the Hardin County Juvenile Detention Center, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
The boy is facing a felony charge of making a terroristic threat.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video first aired on September 18,2024)
The sheriff's office received a report of "suspicious online activity" involving the student last Monday, September 16, 2024, according to the release.
Deputies with the sheriff's office and the Hardin County Precinct Four Constable's Office began investigating immediately along with school district officials.
Investigators worked with internet providers and social media companies to determine the source of the original post Sheriff Mark Davis told 12News last week.
They found social media posts of a "threatening nature" including one that specifically mentioned the high school, according to the news release.
RELATED: Hardin County deputies investigating social media threat made against Hardin-Jefferson High School
During the investigation the student was withdrawn from enrollment in the district.
Using electronic evidence gathered using subpoenas and court orders, deputies say they were able to identify the boy as the source of the threatening posts, according to the release.
The district made an announcement about the threat and investigation on Wednesday morning and noted that there would be an extra presence of law enforcement on the campus that day.
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.
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.