AUSTIN, Texas — Two Central Texas high schools responded to what officials believe were “swatting” calls Wednesday afternoon.
Westwood High School in northwest Austin was briefly evacuated after receiving a bomb threat.
All students and staff were moved to the campus’s football field around 2:10 p.m. while police and fire departments conducted a sweep of the buildings. The all-clear was given after approximately 35 minutes, and everyone returned inside without incident.
“At no time were our students or staff in any danger,” Principal Erin Campbell said in a letter to families.
Campbell praised the response of both students and staff.
“We appreciate the calm way our students and staff handled the disruption, and we are thankful for the quick responses from police and firefighters,” Campbell said.
Officials determined the threat was connected to a wider pattern of swatting calls affecting multiple school districts.
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Around 3:30 p.m., San Marcos CISD said San Marcos High School was temporarily placed on a “hold” status due to a police investigation. It was lifted by 3:45 p.m.
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City officials said the threat was “unfounded,” and investigators believe it was an “attempted swatting call.”