Third student at Northwest ISD middle school charged with plotting attack on students and staff

A third student is facing charges in connection with an online document describing plans to attack dozens of people at a middle school in Northwest ISD, district officials said.

In a letter to parents Monday, Northwest ISD officials said they had completed their investigation into the “recent terrorist threats” and determined that a third student was also responsible. On May 2, the district notified parents of Truett Wilson Middle School’s “watch list” and said they had alerted the families of the 25 students as well as the seven named staff members.

On Monday, school officials said three students “have been charged with a terrorism-related offense.” Fort Worth police confirmed on May 3 that two students were in custody. It is unclear whether police have arrested the third student.

Other students were involved in the investigation but were not found to have been involved in terrorist threats, the email said.

District officials said that while they could not release details of individual punishments due to student privacy concerns, they said students found responsible for a terrorism-related offense will be placed in the district’s alternative education program for 45 to 60 days, according to their policy could become.

With some students staying home for safety reasons, the district also said it would excuse absences for the period May 4-8.

An armed security guard was also placed on campus for the remainder of the school year.

“We hope that the presence of the additional armed security officer will increase the visibility of safety for students, staff and parents and ensure that students at Wilson Middle School can learn safely,” the email said.