Willis ISD student charged after making ‘shoot this place up’ comment, sheriff’s office reports

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) - The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) has charged a Willis ISD student for making a threatening comment in school.

According to a press release from MCSO on Wednesday, the comment, “shoot this place up,” was overheard by a student and a school official as a 15-year-old student walked by in the school hallways.

MCSO and school administration began an investigation, leading to the Class A misdemeanor charge of Exhibition, Use, or Threat of Exhibition or Use of Firearms. The sheriff’s office called the incident, “a stark and clear warning: any comment or threat made toward public schools, whether intended as a joke or not, will be met with the full force of the law.”

Because of the student’s age, no further identifying information will be released.

The release from MCSO continued, "In today’s climate, schools cannot afford to dismiss any threat, no matter how seemingly insignificant... Juvenile offenders could face criminal charges, permanent records, and other repercussions that can impact their lives forever. We strongly encourage all parents and guardians to have a serious conversation with their children about the gravity of making threats, regardless of the intent."

Willis ISD uses a program called “Anonymous Alerts,” which allows anyone to report a concern with the promise of total anonymity.

Earlier this week, a Willis ISD middle schooler was charged for making threats against three schools in the district over social media.