TROUP, Texas — A reported active threat involving Troup High School and Troup Middle School on Monday afternoon was determined to be a hoax, but not before prompting a large law enforcement response and precautionary safety measures across the district.
According to Troup ISD officials, the front office at Troup High School received a call on April 13, 2026, reporting that an individual armed with an AR-15-style rifle intended to enter the high school and then proceed to the middle school campus.
While the report raised immediate concerns of a possible swatting incident, officials said all threats are treated as credible until proven otherwise. Due to the proximity of campuses, all three Troup ISD schools were placed in Secure status as a precaution.
Law enforcement officers quickly responded and conducted thorough sweeps of both school buildings and surrounding areas. Authorities confirmed that no gunman was ever present and there was no evidence of an armed individual on any campus.
Investigators later determined the call was non-credible and consistent with a robo-style swatting incident originating from an out-of-state phone number. Officials said similar calls have been reported by multiple agencies across the country in recent days.
Campuses remained in Secure status through dismissal, with students released in a controlled and orderly process. After dismissal, officers conducted an additional district-wide sweep to ensure all facilities were safe.
The response involved multiple agencies, including Troup ISD Police, Troup Police Department, Smith County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Parks and Wildlife, and several surrounding law enforcement agencies. Authorities said the coordinated response helped secure the campuses and maintain safety throughout the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing, with local agencies working alongside the Federal Bureau of Investigation to identify those responsible.
School officials acknowledged the concern such incidents can cause and emphasized that student and staff safety remains their top priority.
