PASADENA, Texas — Two Pasadena Memorial High School students have been arrested, accused of plotting a mass shooting at their school. The arrests took place late last month.
According to court documents from Harris County, the suspects, Emilio Lopez, an 18-year-old 11th grader, and a juvenile 10th grader, were found conspiring to commit an active shooter attack.
How the Alleged School Shooting Plot Was Uncovered
The investigation began on November 25, when a concerned parent reported to a peace officer that her daughter had received alarming screenshots, reports KHOU. These images allegedly showed the suspects discussing plans for an attack scheduled for December 1.
The discussions, reportedly conducted over Instagram, involved conversations about acquiring guns and ammunition, as well as strategies for executing the attack of Pasadena Memorial High School and evading law enforcement. Witnesses, including a student and an anonymous friend, confirmed that the Instagram accounts involved belonged to the accused students.
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One particularly disturbing message sent by one of the suspects read, “Don’t come to school on Monday.”
Suspect Has a Troubling History
Further investigation revealed that Lopez had posted pictures of himself holding firearms on Instagram close to the time of the alleged plotting. This incident is not Lopez’s first brush with the law; he was previously arrested as a minor in 2023 for a family violence assault case. Authorities noted that Lopez had made a social media threat earlier this year as well.
Despite these allegations, Lopez’s father assured investigators that all firearms in their residence are securely stored.
Lopez has since posted a $100,000 bond and is set to appear in court in January.
Response from Pasadena ISD
In response to the arrests, the Pasadena Independent School District (ISD) has issued a statement emphasizing their commitment to student and staff safety.
“Pasadena ISD is aware of the arrest of two students who allegedly conspired to commit acts of violence,” the statement sent to Eyewitness News read. “Parents and staff of Pasadena Memorial High School were immediately notified of the situation during the Thanksgiving break.”
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The district assured the public that there is currently no active threat to the school and expressed gratitude to law enforcement agencies for their swift action.
“Our priority remains the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” the statement continued, highlighting the district’s dedication to maintaining a secure learning environment.
