Teen arrested following DHS threat
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Second call to school since May
A student at Dilley High School was taken into custody Monday afternoon after making a threat against the school, marking the second confirmed incident at the district since May.
Dilley Police Chief Homer Delgado confirmed this week that 17-year-old Joe Edward Hernandez made a verbal threat, during class, after 2:30 p.m. yesterday afternoon.
A report on the case indicates that the school resource officer (SRO) and a Dilley police lieutenant immediately investigated the allegation and determined the threat to be credible prompting the arrest of Hernandez.
“The threat was a general threat,” the police chief said in a phone interview Tuesday. “It was not directed at anyone in particular, but he yelled it out during class and there were witnesses.”
During the interview, Hernandez did not provide a specific reason as to why he made the verbal threat; however, according to police, there were indications of possible bullying.
Those alleged claims of bullying have not been filed with any district personnel, according to Delgado.
Hernandez’ family is cooperating with the on-going investigation and allowed officers to search their residence. Delgado confirmed no weapons were found during the search.
“We are working closely with the Frio County Sheriff’s Office and Dilley ISD and doing our absolute best to ensure the safety of the community,” the police chief said. “Especially the most valuable members, our children.”
Delgado warns that the department is taking all threats made seriously and if a threat is found credible and violates state statute, an arrest will be made.
As of press time Hernandez remains in custody at the Frio County Jail and faces a third-degree felony charge for terroristic threat.
In late May, a Dilley juvenile was detained and charged with making terroristic threats across various social media platforms only hours after the deadliest school shooting in Texas history.
The 13-year-old student was transported by Dilley police officers to a facility in Victoria after investigators discovered social media posts that included the words, “All these prayers and shit, I’m finna do the same.”