Backpacks banned at Coronado High; police arrest student accused of making threat

Police officers with the El Paso Independent School District arrested a student in connection with a “threat of violence” made against Coronado High School this week.

As a result of the latest threat, all backpacks have been banned at Coronado High School “until further notice,” the district said.

School and district officials are not releasing the student’s name, only identifying him as a 16-year-old boy who is a sophomore at Coronado.

The student will be charged with making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony. The boy admitted to making the threat to investigators and school administrators, district officials said.

“EPISD takes all threats of violence against students and schools seriously and investigates all allegations thoroughly. Any person found to have made such threats will be prosecuted accordingly,” the district said in a news release, “As a precaution at Coronado High School, and in response to parental concerns, the usage of backpacks has been suspended at the school starting on Friday, March 9 and until further notice.”

The district said students will be allowed to carry EPISD-issued laptop bags, lunch bags and small purses.

A district spokesperson told ABC-7 backpacks were also banned at Franklin High School last week.