Investigators say the suspect was making threats using social media and targeting a family member of Robb Elementary School victim, as well as Uvalde CISD.
A months-long investigation into social media threats against a family of the Robb Elementary School shooting, as well as the Uvalde CISD has led to the arrest of a juvenile in New York, authorities say.
A series of threats were received in January in Uvalde that included multiple “swatting” calls that targeted Uvalde CISD, social media threats via Instagram, TikTok messages directed at a family member of a Robb Elementary School victim, and further threats sent to Uvalde CISD students through various social media platforms, according to the Uvalde Police.
Multiple agencies, including Texas DPS CID, City of Uvalde Police Department, FBI San Antonio, and UCISD Police, traced the origin of the threats to the New York area.
Using intelligence they gathered officials uncovered similar swatting calls made to Edgewood ISD in San Antonio. Officials say that identical calls were also reported at a Florida school on the same days, which prompted the investigation to expand across Uvalde and San Antonio and into Broward County in Florida.
The juvenile was taken into custody at his home by detectives in Kings County on Thursday and is being charged with one felony count of terroristic threat and four misdemeanor counts of false report – emergency. The suspect admitted to making multiple swatting calls to law enforcement agencies in Uvalde, San Antonio, Coral Springs, and Parkland.
He also confessed to sending multiple social media threats, researching active shooter incidents, and monitoring law enforcement and Uvalde CISD student social media accounts, according to Uvalde Police. His home was searched and officials confirmed that he had no access to weapons and no direct connection to Uvalde, San Antonio, or Florida. His identity has not yet been released.
“This operation demonstrates our commitment to working with partners to ensure we hold people accountable for threatening our community,” said Chief Homer E. Delgado of the Uvalde Police Department stated. “We will not allow distance or digital anonymity to shield those who try to cause fear or disrupt the safety of our schools and neighborhoods.”
You are encouraged to report any concerning behaviors or threats to authorities.