Police find no evidence behind Channelview school threat

Things have been busy in the Sheldon ISD this week: First, four Sheldon Intermediate School students were suspended for pouring dry erase board cleaner into a teacher's tea, and then a Channelview High student was arrested yesterday because he had evidence of a Columbine-style assault in his backpack.

Deputies were called to the school Thursday afternoon to arrest a student. The 16-year-old boy was suspected of stealing a camera that belonged to the school. Deputies removed the boy from his classroom and brought him to the principal's office. Investigators then began searching his backpack.

Inside the backpack, according to investigators, they found a detailed map of the school. They say the map read, "Channelview High School — the new Columbine."

There was also a list of equipment including bulletproof vests and gas masks. Detectives say the suspect told them he had read a book over the weekend that gave him the idea.

Police also found information that pointed to the possibility of a bomb in the student's locker, so they brought bomb-sniffing dogs on campus, but found nothing. The final word from school district spokeswoman Stephanie Schraeder wasn't so reassuring: "The campus is believed to be safe for students."

Officials don't know what, exactly, the students was planning to do or whether anyone else was involved. He was placed in a juvenile detention center and was charged with theft; he may also face charges of making a terroristic threat.