By james art LAREDO, Texas (KGNS) – Police cars and motorcycles searched the city of Laredo Tuesday, Oct. 22 for a suspect who allegedly wrote a threatening note targeting local schools. The suspect was taken into custody this morning.
Richard Lara, a student at United South High School, expressed his concerns, saying, “I feel bad because I have a little sister who is in middle school, and I don’t want anything bad to happen to her.” Lara felt anxious after with the city’s schools placed on “secure mode”.
The situation began after Laredo police received an alarming note that raised “red flags.” Chief Miguel Rodriguez explained that the department received the letter at 7:42 a.m. “It was very alarming and that’s why we immediately engaged multiple resources across the city to find out who this person is,” he said.
Juan Carlos Moreno, 41, was identified in the early hours of Tuesday after he allegedly wrote a note found at the Border Region Behavioral Health Center. Although police did not disclose the contents of the letter in detail, they confirmed that it contained messages of violence.
Silvia Abrego of the United Independent School District (UISD) police said all campuses have been placed on “secure mode” while Laredo police continue their investigation. “No one should be let out and no one should be let in; however, in “protected mode”, everything is business as usual. Students continue with their schooling inside the campus,” Abrego said.
By 10 a.m., Moreno was at the intersection of Lexington and Montgomery. He has a criminal record with over 40 arrests and ongoing mental health issues.
Chief Rodriguez indicated that charges will be filed against Moreno, but any legal action will take into account his mental state. “A different course is needed. This action must be a joint effort not only with the police department, but also with the district attorney and the courts to determine whether he should be involved. These are things that are happening right now,” he explained.
Moreno will face charges of making a terroristic threat to impair public services and public fear of serious bodily injury, a third-degree felony. UISD noted that this is the first “safe mode” implemented district-wide, although various campuses have had “safe modes” in the past. Both UISD and Laredo Independent School District (LISD) removed their secure modes soon after the suspect was caught.
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