Police: White Settlement teen posted student 'hit-list' on Snapchat

WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas - Police in the Fort Worth suburb of White Settlement arrested a 14-year-old student for allegedly threatening to shoot students at his school.

The suspect attends Brewer Middle School. Police said they were notified Monday night of the threat he made on his Snapchat account. Police say eight names were posted with a picture of a gun and a threatening message.

The 14-year-old was arrested at his parent's home early Tuesday morning. Officers also recovered the airsoft BB gun shown in the threatening posts. Parents say they are relieved he's in custody but worried about what happens once the suspect gets out of jail.

Jamie Herriott was about to go to sleep Monday night when she saw an alarming post being shared by fellow parents of Brewer Middle School students on social media.

“It showed a picture with a gun and a hit list,” Jamie said. “It scared me because it's my daughter's school.”

Police say the 14-year-old warned students not to show up to school unless they wanted to get shot.

Jamie showed her husband, who immediately called police.

“What do we do as parents? How do we protect our children?” said Gaven Herriott. “We really send them to school and hope for the best.”

Melva Franco has two eighth grade students at Brewer Middle School. Franco says her kids know at least three of the students mentioned on the list.

“This could be a cry for help,” Franco said. “I'm scared for my kids. I'm scared for other kids.”

Within hours of being notified by parents, White Settlement police say they questioned and took the teen into custody at his home.

The school district posted a statement online telling parents "after contacting the student and the family, local authorities determined there is no threat. (The district) takes any threat/joke regarding student safety very serious."

Some parents aren't pleased with the district's response.

“It seemed like they downplayed it a little bit,” Gaven said.

“I appreciate that they responded, but I just didn't feel like it was enough,” Jamie said.

A police spokesman says the suspect was initially charged with a misdemeanor. But since his 'hit list' included several potential victims, his terroristic threat charge has been upgraded to a third-degree felony.