Forest Country News

The Mineola Independent School District’s (MISD) police department hosted a summit that touched on active shooter protocols on Tuesday, per a report from Tyler ABC affiliate KLTV. 

KLTV reported that MISD Chief of Police Cody Castleberry led the event alongside Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) special agent Josh Matthews and MISD Superintendent Cody Mize.

The station reported that a main topic of discussion was the purportedly inept law enforcement response during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School which claimed the lives of 21 people almost a year ago. 

Matthews delved into a shooter’s mindset. 

“It all starts with a grievance and that grievance is very personal with the shooter, it doesn’t have to make sense to you or me,” he told those in attendance, KLTV reported.

Per Matthews, perpetrators plan their attacks for a very long time. 

He urged parents who have firearms at home to secure them as much as they can so a child won’t be able to access them. 

“So anything that we can do as law enforcement and school administrators to make it more difficult to achieve that goal will make it less likely that they are going to conduct that attack,” the agent said, KLTV reported.

KLTV reported that MISD school guardians help prevent potential shooting incidents. 

A district peace officer said that a school guardian is someone who provides students and faculty an armed, self-defense option before authorities arrive in the event of an active shooter situation and isn’t necessarily law enforcement or security, the station reported. 

Aspiring school guardians must undergo extensive training, as well as complete a 20-page written application, according to KLTV.

The district investigated two alleged threats last month, Tyler NBC affiliate KETK reported. 

The station reported that the first incident involved a church van, while the second centered on a parent’s complaint their child was threatened with harm. 

At least one student was detained, according to KETK.