Teenager arrested after allegedly posting social media threats

It was a scary morning for students at El Dorado High School.

Police say a young man posted a photo of two shotguns on Instagram Thursday night with a threat aimed at students at El Dorado.

Friday afternoon, the young man who allegedly posted that threat is behind bars in Dona Ana County awaiting extradition to El Paso.

Socorro district officials say it was parents and students of El Dorado High School who told them about the alleged threat.

Students are told ABC-7 Friday that many stayed home because they were concerned about the possible danger.

“I saw the pictures on social media,” said one El Dorado high student.

“A lot of people were nervous,” said another student.

It was a photo that popped up on instagram late Thursday night.

The picture showed two shotguns with a caption that read, “para los de edhs,” meaning for those at El Dorado high school.

The picture was allegedly posted by 18-year-old Carlos Castanon and it struck fear in many who attend El Dorado.

“Most of my classes were empty today,” said one El Dorado student, “somethings like these has to be taken seriously,” said another student.

“It’s a serious crime. You don’t make threats like that especially when students are involved,” said Socorro district superintendent Jose Espinoza.

Espinoza tells ABC-7 the district quickly sprang into action and coordinated plans with district police and the El Paso police department.

There was tighter security around the campus Friday morning.
“As a matter of fact the police even helped out with helicopters flying around,” said Espinoza.

The U.S. Marshalls with help from Sunland Park police arrested Castanon at his home in Sunland Park, New Mexico.

“He’s not a student here in the Socorro Independent School District. The agencies are still trying to figure out what the ties are and at this point we don’t know,” said Espinoza.

Dona Ana county officials say Castanon will be charged with making terroristic threats.

“This individual needs to suffer the consequences that’s needed because that is something serious. That is something we don’t take lightly. One of our missions is to have a safe environment for our kids and we want to make sure that’s taking place,” said Espinoza.

Castanon is expected to be extradited to Texas.

He is scheduled to see a judge in Las Cruces Monday.

Castanon could try to fight extradition but if he doesn’t, he could be brought back and be in custody in El Paso within a few days.