- A Texas student was expelled after being accused of making threats to their school via social media, police said.
- Police presence has been increased at the school, and students aren't allowed to bring in backpacks.
- The FBI and Department of Homeland Security are involved in an investigation into the situation.
A student in Texas was expelled and may face criminal charges after he was accused of issuing threats to the school, the principal and local police said.
The student, who remains unidentified, is accused of threatening Klein Cain High School in Klein, Texas, via social media posts, police said in a press conference.
It comes on the heels of a deadly school shooting in Michigan last week and several copycat threats that emerged following the tragedy.
"We have one person of interest that we are working with Harris County district attorney's office on criminal charges," David Kimberly, Klein Independent School District's chief of police, said at a press conference on Wednesday. "I will tell you that investigation is still ongoing and the fact that we had multiple postings yesterday and the day before, so we're going to track down each and every one of those."
Kimberly said his department worked with the local constable's office as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify the student and make "contact with the individual."
The Department of Homeland Security also offered to "bring whatever resources they have to help us track these threats down," Kimberly added.
"If you make a threat to our campus, there is a very strong likelihood you're going to be expelled immediately," Kimberly said. "That student last night is no longer a student at Klein ISD. Not only will you be expelled but we will present and try to put any charges we can."
In an update to parents, Klein Cain High School Principal Nicole Patin said backpacks would no longer be permitted at school for the rest of the semester, and that a police presence, including canine units, would be increased on campus.
"A disturbing social media trend has emerged across the nation, which involves students posting disruptive behavior on social media at schools to gain likes," Patin said. "These posts are not always accurate, spread misinformation, and disrupt the learning environment. This kind of activity will continue to be fully investigated and any student involved will be punished to the fullest extent of the Student Code of Conduct and the law."
Kimberly issued a similar warning to students, asking them to report suspicious posts to school officials or law enforcement but refrain from resharing them on social media.
"This is not a prank. This is not a joke. This is not something to get more likes and more shares," Kimberly said. "You might get notoriety, but it's not going to be the kind of notoriety you're looking for."
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