School faces bomb scare
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A bomb scare at Howell Middle School Thursday made at least one parent upset that school officials did not evacuate its students.
“Children knew and they were calling their parents,” said Lydia Gonzales, who has two sons at the school. “They searched for a bomb while kids were in class. The kids were afraid they were going to get blown up. I feel it’s wrong that they didn’t evacuate.”
The circumstances surrounding what was in the note did not warrant an evacuation at that time and the suspect was identified before there would have been a need for an evacuation, said Diane Boyett, the district’s communications specialist.
The scare started with a note, left in a restroom, that mentioned a bomb. According to a letter sent home to parents from Principal Debbie Crick, the school notified the school resource officer, who began an official police investigation.
The district’s emergency operations officer also began an investigation. An agent with the federal Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Administration was also on hand.
No suspicious devices were located during the search of the building. One student was identified as a suspect.
“It is a terroristic act,” Boyett said. “We are cooperating fully with law enforcement. We want to send a clear message that this is not funny or acceptable. It may have been intended as a prank, but it is not.”
There is not a set of protocol in the district for bomb scares because it depends on the situation, Boyett said. The culprit will be punished by the school, such as an assignment to the Mitchell Guidance Center.
Pamela Bond is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact her at 361-580-6578 or pbond@vicad.com.cate.com.
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Back in the 70s bomb threats were called in to disrupt major tests at times.. clear out the whole school, everyone out in the yard waiting around for the police to come and clear the building.. funny they were never on rainy days
The world is a different place after 911. America knows now that terrorist can strike where they like.
It is a shame that our children dont realize that the same set of laws that were created to go after the Real Terrorists will be used to prosecute their prank
To be charged, and tried as a terrorist is a heavy price to pay. Parents talk to your children, they cannot get a class C misdemeanor as we did when we were young.. The whole world over reacts now .
May 24, 2008 at 8:14 a.m.Isn't that a Federal Offense?
May 24, 2008 at 8:07 a.m.Making a false bomb threat is a federal offense punishable under United States Code 18-844e, with a penalty of up to ten years in prison, and a $250000 fine.
I think, that if the school officials find out who wrote this "terroristic" note, the kid would deserve more than just a stint at Mitchell! This is just a prime example of what is wrong with schools in VISD... Make a bomb threat, ya' get to spend the rest of the school year at Mitchell where you will be surrounded by other troublemakers and learn even more mischief....
May 24, 2008 at 7:35 a.m.It's time this school district grew some "nads" and got tough on this kind of stuff!