By MARK REAGAN and MATT WILSON | STAFF WRITERS
Mercedes police allege a security guard made a bomb threat at Mercedes High School last week — just two days after the tragic mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school.
In a news release Wednesday, police said they were charging Mercedes Independent School District security officer Edgar Aaron Estrada Jr., 22, for the threat.
“While initial investigation on a terroristic threat that was written on bathroom walls was ongoing, Mercedes Investigation Division was able to connect the recent bomb threat made on Thursday, May 26, 2022 to Estrada,” the news release said.
Mercedes police allege Estrada broadcast the bomb threat with a security radio, which prompted Mercedes police, Mercedes EMS/Fire, McAllen Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Weslaco Fire & AMBUS, and the Hidalgo County Constable’s Precinct 1 Office to the high school, which was then evacuated.
The news release said Mercedes police executed two outstanding warrants on Estrada Wednesday.
He was charged with terroristic threat and false alarm or report.
A statement from Mercedes ISD released Wednesday afternoon says Estrada is employed by third-party security company MLG Security Services and is not a district employee.
“At this time Mercedes law enforcement officials are investigating the incident and no further details have been provided to the district at the time of this release,” it reads.
Discussion on who to choose as the district’s security provider has been a contentious issue on the district’s board for at least a year.
The board voted to part ways with 2 Zero 5 security last September over staffing issues and returned to MLG, its previous provider.
