Redwater Elementary evacuates after bomb threat
A bomb threat called in to Redwater Elementary School on Tuesday morning resulted in school administration evacuating children and staff from the building to the nearby First Baptist Church.
Nothing suspicious was found in the building as of Tuesday afternoon.
“The building has been initially cleared,” said a Facebook Post by Redwater Independent School District Tuesday afternoon.
“We had a threat called in to the elementary campus,” said Dr. Kelly Burns, Redwater ISD superintendent. “We notified law enforcement and immediately evacuated the kids and staff.”
The junior high and high school students sheltered in place.
Law enforcement officials combed the elementary school building Tuesday afternoon looking for anything suspicious.
Cars were lined up on FM 991 and U.S. Highway 82 as parents waited to pick up their children. Once they neared the front of the church, they had to go in and sign out their child, get back in their car and pull around the church to pick them up. The effort was coordinated by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and school and county personnel. Parents were also able to pick up students at other campuses.
“Everyone did a great job. Everyone worked together and was up here to help in every way needed,” Burns said. “The parents have been wonderful and waited patiently.”
In a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon, Burns thanked the parents and community for entrusting the district with their children.
“We will always put the safety of our students first. … We thank you for your patience and we thank Officer Jeff Crowson for acting so quickly, Redwater VFD, DPS and all law enforcement and first responders in their rapid response.”