Dallas ISD receives email threats, opens as normal

DALLAS - The Dallas Independent School District received a terroristic threat similar to the ones against Los Angeles and New York schools earlier this week. And it was again found to be not credible.

Staff members from Pinkston High School and Martinez Elementary School received the email around 8 p.m. Wednesday. City sources speaking on the condition of anonymity told FOX they threatened jihadist acts against the schools.

Campus and local police investigated both schools, with help from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. Dogs sniffed through the buildings overnight, but did not find anything.

“We took the threats very serious. We went to the schools. We swept those schools. We feel very confident that the schools are safe,” said Dallas ISD Police Chief Craig Miller.

Both schools opened Thursday morning for a normal day.

“I think that everyone has done their due diligence on the information that we have,” said Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa. “We feel that our students are safe, but it was very important that we take assertive action.”

There will be an increased police presence on the campuses throughout the day as a precaution. Counselors will also be on hand to talk to students.

And police said their investigation into the source of the threats will continue.

 “We have to take these threats seriously and we have to pursue any and all leads to hold someone accountable for these emails,” said Dallas Police Chief David Brown.

“Obviously someone is trying to scare Dallas and that’s not going to work. We understand there are serious issues going on in this world and throughout this county. And that’s why our partners at the federal level are extremely important in this and Chief Brown is working closely with them,” added Mayor Mike Rawlings

School districts in Houston and Miami reportedly received similar threats overnight.

FOX 4 is on YouTube -- https://bit.ly/fox4subscribe