Texas high school football threat thwarted
EVERMAN, Tex. (NBC) - Two young people are in custody after being arrested with a loaded gun near a North Texas High School football game.
Police in Everman say the suspects intended to use the gun against unknown targets Friday night, but that a tip to a Tarrant County Sheriff's Deputy helped avert a tragedy.
"This was a threat that was known firsthand knowledge."
Everman Police Chief Craig Spencer says someone told the deputy at least two suspects were headed to the school with a gun intent on causing violence.
Quick response
15-20 officers who were already at the game were quickly joined by more, something Kimberly Retana told us she noticed right away.
"I looked out my window because I was like 'what's going on' you know? And I had heard a lot of cops sirens," Retana spoke.
Everman Police and the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office spotted a car matching the description.
Chief Spencer says that car made it into the parking lot before officers took everyone inside the car into custody.
The threat, still plain to see inside the vehicle.
"Located an AR-15 pistol on the floorboard with a 60-round magazine, fully loaded," Spencer divulged.
Post-arrest
Two people, age 17 and 18, are in the Tarrant County jail, charged with unlawfully carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.
A third person in the car, a 10-year-old, was released to their parents.
Spencer said detectives believe the suspects traveled to the Everman football game over an ongoing dispute, but more details haven't been disclosed so far.
"I certainly believe whole-heartedly - from the bottom of my heart - that these officers did save countless lives." Spencer expressed.
Everman thankful
On Saturday, Everman I.S.D. thanked both Tarrant County Sheriff's Office and the Police Department "for the swift action and keeping our students and community safe."
Chief Spencer credits the quick communication between different police agencies to help avoid a potential tragedy.
"The actions of the suspect - going to the location that we had received he was en route to, armed with an AR-15 pistol with a high-capacity single 60-round magazine - he was going to cause harm, there's no doubt."
