by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

01-17-25

Top Photo by J. Anson Bills

A suspicious 911 phone call prompted Uvalde CISD to place Uvalde High and Morales Junior High Schools on Hold status as law enforcement responded to a potential threat. LaPryor ISD placed their campuses on in Secure status as a result of the call.

A student of either Uvalde High School or Morales Junior High posted a picture on social media Thursday afternoon of an officer with a shotgun in a school’s hallway with the caption, “Hell Yeah”

Uvalde County Constable Emmanuel Zamora posted on his Facebook page that a large police presence was observed at 1:45PM.

Ther following timeline was also posted by Zamora:

Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

10-22-24

On Friday, October 18th, a parent of a Knippa school students contacted the Uvalde Hesperian reporting that she was informed by the Knippa ISD Principal Melissa Garza her child’s name wes included on a “kill list” created by another student who is currently under investigation by the Knippa School’s Police Department.  Two parents who have communicated with the Uvalde Hesperian have choosing to remain anonymous at this time.

“I’m scared to death for my children,” another parent said.

According to a statement from school district officals, the student who is alleged to have created the list has been removed from school.

A second parent received a call from Knippa School Principal Melissa Garza on Friday, October 18th informing her of her children’s names were also on the list.

According to an official statement (see below) just released by the district, the list contained both students’ and teachers’ names.

Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco informed the parent and a San Antonio TV news reporter his department is assisting this ongoing investigation.

The Uvalde Hesperian sent an email to Knippa ISD Superintendent Benny Hernandez shortly before 8AM Tuesday morning, October 22st requesting an official statement or comment and also followed up with a phone call requesting a return call.

According to one parent, the District Attorney is also involved in the investigation.

 by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

    On Friday, September 8th, Knippa ISD Superintendent Benny Henandez sent out a letter to parents of students informing them of an incident involving a gun occuring that same day. The unnamed staff member, according to Hernandez, was licensed and authorized to carry a firearm on campus and had dropped an unloaded gun while inside a gym class. The letter did not say if any students were present or nearby in the class when the incident occurred although it did indicate students were enrolled in that class.

   The letter stated that no one was injured as a result of the weapon falling out of a concealed carry fanny pack,

  As a result of the incident, Hernandez said, “Moving forward, the District will require that all people licensed to carry guns will have a holster in their possession to properly secure the weapon. “

  Earlier this year during the spring, The Knippa ISD school board approved allowing for staff members who had enrolled in special firearms training through a district approved program to carry guns on campus. 

  Over the summer, the Knippa ISD campus installed additional high fencing around the campus.

Editor’s Note: In the origional post, Knippa ISD Superintendent Banny Hernandez name was listed incorrectly. The error has been corrected and the Uvalde Hesperian regrets the error.

  Uvalde Superintendent Gary Patterson delivered his report Monday night, May 15 during the Uvalde CISD board meeting. 

Patterson said that graduation will go on as scheduled on May 26th and Monday, May 22nd will be the last day for students.

“Graduation will take all the necessary precautions. With the rise in the threats and the internet chatter, I’m afraid we’re going to need to take all the necessary precautions,” Patterson said.

He continued by saying, “We’ll have metal detectors there and will have enough officers there. We can funnel our crowd into four different locations and get them in pretty quickly and we’ll have extra officers there.”

  In Patterson’s report, he discussed social media threats, one of which promoted 90% of parents to pick up their children from schools by the end of the day on Friday, May 12th. School Districts in Del Rio and Eagle Pass also received threats that day. He said that the district received the report at 6:30 AM. ” I want to thank the parents and staff for the way they handled that situation,” he said.

  Patterson went on to say teachers covered for other teachers worked through conference periods and lunch periods to help get the kids in and out.

 “Today we wanted to keep a close eye on attendance all day.  Patterson also stated that Monday’s May 15th attendance was down at the district’s campuses with attendance at 60% at the Junior High and 58 to 60% at Dalton, 49 % at Batesville, 62% at Uvalde Elementary and UDLA and the High School were around 76%,” he said. 

  “These internet threats are designed to spread fear and anxiety and stress and disruption and they succeeded on Friday for sure,” Patterson said.  

 “We believe these students are safe in school,” Patterson said. In regards to decisions to release students early from school, his concern is if the students will be going home without anyone being home. 

  As far as parents who may choose to not send their children to school the superintendent asked that those parents communicate with the school. He stated those students will not be punished, but there are tests and end of year school work that needs to be done. “No-one is going to get punished except if they don’t do their work,” he said.  He continued by saying if they, the students, are missing assignments to please contact us as we will find a way to get that work in.

 On Friday, February 10th, Uvalde CISD issued the following statement about an incident involving a student claiming he/she possessed a weapon:

February 10, 2023 – Uvalde CISD Addresses
Offhanded Weapon Statement

Early on February 10th, our administration was alerted of a student who offhandedly stated a weapon was in possession. This statement, similar to all references to weapons, was taken seriously. The Uvalde CISD Police Chief was immediately involved to ensure a thorough and complete investigation was conducted. The conclusion of the investigation revealed the student was joking. This is not a joking matter; the student will face the appropriate consequences.

  District Administration, including Uvalde High School administration, are sending a parent letter home to inform Uvalde High School parents of the situation. Parent support is greatly needed in reinforcing with our students the seriousness of making references to possessing a weapon, making offhanded threats, or reposting a threat on social media. All reports of weapons and threats to our students, staff, and schools are taken very seriously, are investigated thoroughly, and can be considered criminal offenses.

 We encourage parents to speak with their child(ren) about making the right choices and the potential consequences of their actions. We will continue to work together to keep all our students safe and help them make positive choices for themselves and our community. Uvalde CISD Administration appreciates your cooperation, patience, and understanding as we work together to provide a safe educational setting for our students and staff.

Earlier this week on Wednesday, May 8th, the Uvalde Police Department issued this alert on it’s Facebook page about a report it received about a threat made by a Uvalde CISD Virtual Academy student: