Teen Arrested for Graham Elementary School Threat

Austin Police Arrest 17-Year-Old for Terroristic Threat Against Graham Elementary School

Austin police arrested Giana Castillo, 17, on Tuesday and charged her with terroristic threat, a third-degree felony, in connection with a threat to Graham Elementary School, officials announced Friday.

The arrest followed an FBI tip about concerning online statements made on an Instagram account linked to Castillo, according to police.

Despite no suspected ongoing threat to Graham Elementary, school officials increased Austin district police presence at the campus throughout the week as a precaution. The district also informed parents and guardians in a letter Thursday that the campus conducts weekly safety audits of the doors.

"I understand how difficult this information feels to receive and I am deeply saddened to be sharing it," said Graham Principal Bardo Montelongo in a second letter to families Friday. "As your campus leader, I am incredibly grateful that through the collaboration of our local law enforcement agencies, our campus remains safe."

Local FBI contacted Austin district police late Tuesday evening about the investigation into the threat against the school, Montelongo said.

“We’re committed to keeping our community safe and have taken measures to prevent any threats," Austin district Police Chief Wayne Sneed said in a statement Friday.

The district is hiring enough police to have officers at every elementary campus, in compliance with House Bill 3, which state leaders passed in 2023, Sneed added.

Travis County Jail records did not show Castillo in jail as of Friday evening but listed her bail at $100,000.

District officials plan to hold a meeting Monday to discuss campus safety with Graham Elementary parents.

The investigation into the incident continues, according to Austin police.