A 17-year-old girl has been arrested for making credible threats against Graham Elementary School in northeast Austin, according to local authorities. The Austin Police Department (APD), the Austin Independent School District (AISD), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a joint statement on Friday detailing the case against Giana Gabriella Castillo.
The FBI acted upon a tip regarding “concerning statements” made by Castillo over Instagram, which indicated she was planning a mass casualty event at the school.
Castillo has been charged with a third-degree felony for making a mass casualty terroristic threat and was taken into custody on Tuesday. Her bond has been set at $100,000. Authorities report that Castillo’s parents are cooperating with the investigation, and additional police patrols have been implemented at Graham Elementary School, located approximately 10 miles northeast of downtown Austin.
Details surrounding the specific content of these messages have not been revealed. However, observers are curious about what the plans entailed and the context in which they were shared. The use of Instagram as a medium raises questions about privacy and the potential for information to be taken out of context.
The incident has led to a range of reactions from users on various social media networks. Some have expressed concern over the nature of sharing sensitive information digitally. Others are discussing the legitimacy and impact of public disclosures made through private messages. Questions arise around the motivations behind sharing personal plans in a public forum.
