Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN – The swift action of a vigilant community member using the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) iWatchTexas reporting program resulted in the arrest of a man responsible for a series of online school shooting threats. Stephen Patrick Furr, 29, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Lubbock on February 3, 2025, charged federally with interstate threatening communications.
“This is exactly what the iWatchTexas program was designed to do: help Texans quickly alert law enforcement of mass attacks or targeted violence,” stated DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. “By reporting something suspicious, lives were saved. It’s an important reminder of our role in protecting each other by remaining vigilant and speaking up if we see something strange or suspicious.”
Rapid Response and Arrest
Early on the morning of February 3, the Texas Fusion Center (TXFC) received a tip via the iWatchTexas program from a concerned citizen about alarming social media posts indicating potential threats of a school shooting. The posts began with ambiguous comments about possible future violence but escalated into explicit threats, stating the user possessed a firearm and intended to carry out an attack.
Upon receiving the report, TXFC promptly initiated an investigation and swiftly identified the suspect as Furr. Within hours of the tip, the FBI apprehended him and filed federal charges, effectively neutralizing the threat.
Community Vigilance Through iWatchTexas
The iWatchTexas program empowers Texans to confidentially report suspicious behavior, particularly potential threats related to schools and public safety. In September 2024, the program recorded a historic peak, receiving 204 school safety-related reports—more than double previous years. The majority involved concerning behaviors, threats, or indications of planned violence around school campuses.
Residents can make reports using the iWatchTexas mobile app, through the website at www.iwatchtx.org, or by calling 1-844-643-2251. Each confidential report, typically taking less than five minutes to complete, is reviewed thoroughly by trained law enforcement analysts.
Encouraging Public Participation and Awareness
DPS encourages the public to remain alert and speak up about any behavior that raises concern. Activities warranting reports include:
• Comments suggesting an intent to harm or kill.
• Unusual inquiries about building security protocols.
• Social media posts indicating potential threats.
• Attempts to obtain sensitive security information without justification.
• Suspicious purchases of items potentially used for attacks.
• Photographing security features or surveillance equipment without authorization.
Texans are urged to download the free iWatchTexas mobile app, available on iPhone and Android, to proactively contribute to public safety.
It’s important to note, however, that the iWatchTexas system is not intended for emergency situations. Immediate threats requiring urgent response should always be reported to emergency services by calling 911.
This recent incident underscores the effectiveness and necessity of community vigilance and proactive reporting, highlighting how one timely tip can prevent tragedy and ensure public safety across Texas.
