Lamesa police: Several juveniles responsible for social media post threatening school

LAMESA, Texas (KCBD) - Lamesa ISD canceled its last half-day of school on Friday, May 20 in response to a terroristic threat.

“This evening LISD administrators have been made aware of a potential terroristic threat to the school,” the district said in a social media post on Thursday night.

The district said it was acting from “an abundance of caution.”

On Friday morning, the Lamesa police department reported a suspect was in custody.

Later on Friday afternoon, Lamesa police released this statement:

On Thursday, May 19, 2022 at approximately 7:40pm, the Lamesa Police Department received information in regard to an online threat against the Lamesa Middle School. Information was received that an individual posted a picture holding a gun with a caption below it that stated “Coming for Lamesa Middle School”. The initial suspect, that supposedly posted the threat was identified as Jasper Medrano. Lamesa Police Officers, along with Dawson County Sheriff’s Deputies, were able to locate Medrano after a short time. Medrano was immediately taken into custody on outstanding local warrants and taken to the Police Department for questioning.

After further investigation, evidence was discovered that Medrano was not the person responsible for the social media threat. The investigation led detectives to evidence that identified several juveniles who were involved in posting the clipped and altered picture of the firearm. During the course of this investigation the firearm depicted in the posted picture was located and seized. The investigation is ongoing at this time and the Detectives have determined there is no active threat to Lamesa Middle School.

The Lamesa Police Department appreciates the assistance of the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office and the public that never stopped providing information on this case.

Lamesa police Chief Joshua Peterson confirmed with KCBD the juveniles are not students with the middle school, and authorities believe the juveniles who altered and circulated the initial post intended to associate Medrano with the threat.

The district says Lamesa ISD will continue to conduct all senior activities including graduation on Friday.

“The Lamesa Police Department and sheriff’s department, along with LISD School Resource Officers will be vigilant and around campus on Friday and through graduation ceremonies.”

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