Cleveland ISD was placed on high alert on Monday, Sept. 30, after a threat of school violence was reported to Cleveland Police Department. During the subsequent investigation, it was determined that the phone number used to call in the threat could be linked to similar incidents across multiple states, according to Liberty County Sheriff’s Capt. David Meyers.
The phone number used in Monday’s threat is connected to an Arizona area code, but Meyers noted that it appears to be spoofed, a tactic used to disguise the true identity of the caller by masking the actual number and name.
The investigation led authorities to consider a 16-year-old Cleveland High School student as a person of interest; however, he has since been ruled out as a suspect.
According to Meyers, the FBI is also involved in the recent school threat investigation and has been actively pursuing leads related to threats that possibly were linked to this particular phone number. Meyers explained that tracking down the origin of these calls has been complicated by the spoofing, which can make it difficult to pinpoint suspects.
Cleveland ISD officials were made aware of the situation immediately Monday morning and took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of students and staff while the investigation was ongoing.
Meyers said that Cleveland ISD PD Chief Angela Allen requested the assistance of LCSO, which is how Meyers became involved in the investigation. Numerous LCSO deputies, investigators, narcotics units and special response teams were deployed during the investigation.
At this time, there have been no arrests, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office at 936-336-4500 or Cleveland Police Department at 281-592-2621.