Teen accused in school-related threats

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Long before the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut, KXAN has learned of similar threats made against children and staff at Austin's Allan Elementary school. The teenage suspect was let out of jail, but faces a new charge now.

According to court documents, the threats were made by a 17-year-old man in February and March of 2012. The teenager reportedly sent an email to a teacher at Allan with the subject line "Die." In the email, he demanded money and said if he did not get it, "I will kill little boys and girls." The documents also report that the teen left voicemails saying he would "shoot kids and staff at the school or would burn the school down."

"In this instance we increased our visibility," said AISD police chief Eric Mendez. "We want to make sure that our parents are comfortable bringing their children to school. So we assure them that their children will be safe during the day. I don't know that many parents knew about this incident."

AISD police increased patrols at Allan and court documents reveal staff members at the school guarded the doors for days.

The suspect was charged with harassment, a misdemeanor, a released on bond. Shortly after, arrest records show, he was accused of making similar threats against Allan Elementary in a voicemail. In the voicemail, he said he just got out of jail for the last threat and wanted "600 or 400 dollars." He said he would come to the school with several others and "kill the boys and girls at Allan Elementary School with assault rifles." He also reportedly said, "Don't make me go in to the school." "I'm really going to get ugly and violent." and "This is not going to be pretty."

"Why an individual chooses to continue to make threats is out of our control," said Mendez. "All we can do is refer those instances to the court and rely on the court system to handle or deal with the individual once we file the appropriate charges."

After the second arrest, the court system assigned the suspect a mental health public defender. Court records show he received a mental health evaluation, was under the supervision of county mental health care providers, and the harassment charges against him were dropped.

But Tuesday, a new charge was filed against him.

Travis County law enforcement is investigating a string of harassment claims by a Del Valle ISD employee – threatening phone calls the woman told police made her “scared to death,” according to court records.

Sheriff’s deputies issued an arrest warrant for the same 17-year-old suspect  after the woman said he left several messages on her office voicemail over Thanksgiving break.

The arrest warrant affidavit said the suspect was arrested in April in connection with harassment against the same woman. Authorities also noted in the new arrest documents that this was the same suspect who  threatened "to kill all the little students at an AISD Elementary School.”

Del Valle school district spokeswoman Celina Bley said, “We take the safety and security of both our students and staff seriously and appreciate the assistance of law enforcement.”

The affidavit details three messages – each more than 10 minutes long - in which the caller states his name and phone number, adding that the woman owed him money and should meet him at a drop-off point.

“If you tell someone I might do something to you, and it won’t be nice,” one of the messages said.

“If you press charges it will put my life in jeopardy and when I get out I’ll put your life in jeopardy,” said another.

According to this week’s affidavit, the DVISD employee told police she purchased a dog, because she “was too scared to sleep alone at night.”

The suspect is a former student at Del Valle High School. Officials say he had no connection, that they know of, to Allan Elementary School.

The retaliation charge is a third-degree felony. The suspect is in custody at the Travis County jail on the new charge and bond is set at $10,000.