EPCSO: 1 teen to face charges over school lockdown in Montana Vista

UPDATED: EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — One 16-year-old is being charged in an incident where three schools were placed on lockdown in the Montana Vista area on Friday morning, April 26, according to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Four juveniles were initially detained in the incident that was called a “possible threat” by authorities. Three were subsequently released.

The teen who was not released is facing a charge of making a terroristic threat, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Office also says the reported weapon in question turned out to be a Gel Blaster toy gun that was spray-painted black. No injuries were reported in the incident.

According to the Clint Independent School District (CISD), law enforcement responded to a photo of a person who was holding what appeared to be a weapon near the Montana Vista area.

Mountain View High School, East Montana Middle School, and Montana Vista Elementary School were placed on lockdown as a safety precaution.

Red Sands Elementary was also placed in shelter-in-place as a safety precaution, according to CISD.

Law enforcement cleared Mountain View High School just before noon and proceeded with lifting the lockdowns and shelter-in-place at the remaining schools, according to the Clint Independent School District.

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Vanessa Tena says students have been reunited with their families and Mountain View High School is now deemed safe.

The Major Crimes Unit has taken over the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office said it worked with law enforcement partners to quickly resolve the situation. Other responding agencies included the Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations, El Paso Police, El Paso County constables and Texas game wardens.

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