Threat involving 3 Austin elementary schools originated outside U.S.

Children line up as they navigate the halls of Andrews Elementary School Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024.

In a letter to parents Thursday, the Austin Independent School District said it received information that a social media threat to three elementary schools earlier this week "appears to originate from outside the country."

Austin ISD officials said Tuesday that Andrews and Barrington elementaries in North Austin and Baranoff in South Austin were among the campuses threatened, as well as 11 other campuses in Texas. The district told parents the social media post, which didn't include a time or date, shows an image of a masked person with firearms.

Despite the threat reportedly originating internationally, the district said there will still be an increased Austin ISD police presence at the three elementary schools "out of an abundance of caution."