Updated Feb. 7 at 3:49 p.m. to include new information from Eanes ISD and Travis County Sheriff's Office
Eanes ISD Superintendent Tom Leonard stated in an email to parents at 3:10 p.m., "there is no credible threat to Westlake High School" after the Travis County Sheriff’s Office completed an investigation regarding a potential bomb threat discovered Monday.
"[TCSO] has identified a person of interest who is not a Westlake student but had access to the building after-hours with a group, and they have concluded this individual is not a credible threat," the email stated.
According to a news release published by TCSO this afternoon, the suspect is a male in his early 20s.
"Investigators do not have enough physical evidence to make an arrest at this time, but are confident that not only was the message an empty threat, there is no future threat of harm to students," said Kristen Dark, public information officer for the Travis County Sheriff’s Association, in a news release. "TCSO will maintain an increased presence at school activities for the next 24 hours to offer reassurance to parents and students as they settle back into their normal routines."
Attendance at Westlake High School today was above average and staff anticipates the same for Wednesday, Leonard said in the email.
"We are incredibly grateful for the staff, time and resources that the University of Texas Police Department and Travis County Sheriff’s Office provided these past two days," Leonard's email read. "Not only did they support the investigation with canine units to sweep the school before dawn, but they also provided hours of manpower and guidance to ensure our students and staff are safe."
Posted Feb. 7 at 10:45 a.m.
Eanes ISD Superintendent Tom Leonard released an email to parents Monday evening regarding a possible bomb threat discovered at Westlake High School. The email stated the threat was from a writing on a bathroom wall that read “Bomb 2/8/17,” prompting administrators to contact the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and district security to investigate the matter and initiate safety protocols. “We do have a person of interest in the case and it is not a student,” said Kristen Dark, public information officer for the Travis County Sheriff’s Association. “We think we are going to have this wrapped up very quickly.” She said the issue is a “very low level threat,” and the agency conducted a sweep of the high school premises early this morning. Dark said another campus sweep may be performed early tomorrow morning “just to give parents that extra assurance everything is okay.” According to Leonard, the district is taking precautions to protect students and staff, including:- conducting a search with law enforcement and canine units to secure Westlake High School;
- increasing law enforcement patrols around Westlake High School; and
- maintaining an increased adult presence throughout the building.
