Swatting incident at San Marcos High School under investigation

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – San Marcos police are investigating a “swatting” call Tuesday.

“This is being done to create chaos and provoke a large police response,” said San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge.

Standridge said someone called 911 and reported that someone at San Marcos High School had a gun.

“I was walking down the hall to go to the bathroom and I saw a guy walking with a gun and I ran away,” the unknown caller whispered to the operator.

The caller tells the dispatcher that he is at San Marcos High School. Shortly thereafter, the caller says, “He's going to the bathroom,” followed by “No, please, please, please, please,” and at least two gunshots are heard.

“Please be aware that we have now concluded that this call was a hoax and therefore a criminal offense,” Standridge said.

The two San Marcos High School officers split up after the call to search for the threat. Standridge said multiple officers arrived at the scene within about three minutes of the call.

After the call, police identified a student who reportedly knew nothing about the call but told them she saw someone with a gun. According to police, this student was a minor and was questioned about her statements.

“We learned that the youth involved received the information from another student,” Standridge said. “So that student was also taken out and interviewed. The source of these text messages has been fully investigated and may result in action being taken by the school district.”

The San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District is also investigating the two students who claimed to have seen someone with a gun.

“If they are found guilty, they may face not only criminal charges but also school district charges,” said Michael Cardona, superintendent of San Marcos CISD.

The lockdown of the school was lifted after police determined there was no danger to the school.

Cardona said students could be expelled for making threats against other students or the school, but their punishment would depend on the outcome of the investigation.

Cardona said some students who make threats may end up back in school.

“But there is also an accompanying transition plan to ensure that safety is maintained on campus,” Cardona said.

Police and the FBI are currently trying to find out who made the call.

Standridge said the same number used to call the high school was used for similar threats in Michigan and another county in Texas.

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