Hays County Sheriff’s Office Investigates Threats At Hays High School

“The Sheriff’s Office takes all threats seriously, is ever vigilant and has taken precautionary security measures to strengthen our School Resource Officer (SRO) forces to enhance the safety of all…”

Late Thursday night, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office received numerous calls regarding threatened acts of violence towards students at the Hays High School Friday.

As of 12 AM, the investigation was ongoing, and the sheriff’s office had not established any validity to the threats or developed any person(s) of interest.

“Every threat is taken seriously and in every case where violence is threatened toward a student or student body Hays County Sheriff’s deputies responded appropriately and in a timely manner to the homes of students who may be persons of interest or in some cases where the target of an aggressor may be an unaware fellow student.” Lt. Dennis Gutierrez said. “The Sheriff’s Office takes all threats seriously, is ever vigilant and has taken precautionary security measures to strengthen our School Resource Officer (SRO) forces in an effort to enhance the safety of all our HISD visitors, students, teachers, administration and support staff.”

The Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow up on these calls and social media posts as they are received and will keep the HISD school administration advised of any situations that require immediate action.

“To help alleviate the anxiety Thursday’s potential social media threats have caused you and your children, we will have an added law enforcement presence on campus on Friday,” Hays High School Principal, David Pierce, said in a letter to parents. “Additionally, our crisis counseling staff is available to speak with students who are upset about the threats and about school safety in general.”

The Sheriff’s office asks citizens to remember to do their part as a private citizen by calling 9-1-1 should they believe they know or do know the identity of a threatening caller, blogger or person the Sheriff’s Office may want to debrief regarding threats to our students or any other crime that needs immediate enforcement response.

“I want to extend my appreciation again to all of the parents and students who immediately reached out to us on social media, the Hays Hopeline, our district’s Let’s Talk web feature, and to those who contacted law enforcement directly,” Pierce said. “We have asked that if you see something, say something, and you have responded. Together, with our close partnership with our friends and neighbors in law enforcement, we will keep Hays High School a safe campus.”