Two teenage girls have been arrested in Spring Branch, Texas, for allegedly planning a "mass casualty attack" at Memorial High School. The suspects, a 16-year-old Memorial High School student attending an alternative school program and a 15-year-old student from Willis High School, were taken into custody after the FBI received a tip about their plan. The plot reportedly involved pipe bombs and guns targeting the school. The FBI and local police acted quickly after receiving the information on Tuesday, according to abc13.
The Spring Branch ISD police apprehended the girls without a timeline for the attack. One of the girls was already in custody on unrelated charges. Online messages revealed that the 16-year-old student showed a "generic disdain for students," as stated by Spring Branch ISD Chief of Police Larry Baimbridge, but no clear motive was given for the planned violence. The alternative school the 16-year-old attended is for students falling behind academically, not for disciplinary issues, according to the Houston Chronicle.
While no weapons, bombs, or bomb-making materials were found in Harris County, authorities continue to investigate in Harris and Montgomery Counties. The identities of the two suspect have not been disclosed due to their juvenile status.
The Spring Branch ISD has implemented additional security measures to ensure the safety of students and staff. In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, the district said, "The safety and security of our schools and community remain our highest priority. We understand the concerns this situation may cause for students parents and faculty, and we're taking every necessary precaution. Additional security measures have been implemented, and we continue to work closely with school officials and our law enforcement partners to ensure a safe environment." The incident follows a separate altercation, in which two Memorial High School students were arrested for assaulting a Stratford High School student due to a school rivalry.
Chief Baimbridge stated that the planning of the attack and the rivalry incident were unrelated, with the attack plan starting before the rivalry escalated.
