A plan to harm students at Memorial High School using guns and pipe bombs has led to the arrest of two teenage girls. This story, exclusively covered by KPRC 2, reveals that the girls are now in custody, and Spring Branch ISD police assure that there is no longer a threat to the school or its students.
Authorities revealed that the suspects were in the early stages of planning an attack, which involved placing pipe bombs around the school and using guns to target students. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office has referred to the incident as stemming from “online threats.” However, law enforcement acted quickly, arresting the two students, ages 15 and 16, within 30 minutes of learning about the plot.
The two teens were taken into custody in a joint operation between the FBI, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and Spring Branch ISD Police Department.
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Spring Branch ISD Police Chief Larry Baimbridge said they learned about the threat through a source. According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, one suspect, a 16-year-old girl from Memorial High School, was attending an alternative school in the district for students who fall behind. She’s been charged with making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony, and is currently in custody in Harris County.
The second suspect, a 15-year-old Willis High School student, is in the custody of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office on unrelated charges. She has not been charged in connection with the threat, and more details about her are expected.
It’s unclear if parents have been notified, and some students heading home said they weren’t aware of the incident.
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office says there isn’t any present threat going forward. They clarified the importance of students' safety in the following statement:
The safety and security of our schools and community remain our highest priority. We understand the concerns this situation may cause for students, parents, and faculty, and we are taking every necessary precaution. Additional security measures have been implemented, and we continue to work closely with school officials and our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe environment. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. If you see something, say something. This investigation is in the early stages, and we are reviewing all available evidence. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
