The Dallas Independent School District on Friday released the contents of the email threat received Wednesday night that turned out to be a multi-city hoax.
The threat, which prompted the district to activate its emergency response protocol, claims to be from a student victim of bullying. It speaks about "Jihad" in the name of Allah and details an arsenal of weapons that were supposedly going to be used Thursday.
Among other things the email said:
"We will take out any police and other security by any means necessary."
"My 46 Jihad affiliates and I are going to unleash an (sic) massacre of epic proportion, targeting every single school and student in the district."
On Thursday, officials said Pinkston High School and Martinez Elementary were identified as targets, evidently because the message was sent to a teacher connected with those schools.
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Officials said the threat was very similar to others received this week in Houston, Miami, New York and Los Angeles. All Los Angeles schools were closed Tuesday as a precaution, but other cities determined it was a hoax and classes continued as scheduled.
"This letter looks like it's part of a form letter sent to a lot of people out there," said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. "It's obvious people want to scare this city."
In an exclusive interview Friday for NBC 5's Sunday morning Lone Star Politics program, Rawlings said he is proud of how Dallas responded this time and police are preparing for more.
"I think this is going to be a new normal that we're in. I don't think this is a cycle," he said.
The mayor said Dallas Police Chief David Brown met Friday with other North Texas police and law enforcement officials. They intend to improve intelligence gathering to stay calm for hoaxes but coordinate resources if threats turn out to be real.
"They're going to say, 'How do we do something more than the feds do in our area?' So, we'll take their help, we'll take their package, but we won't just say that's enough. And that's one of the challenges that he's putting in front of his police force," Rawlings said.
Dallas police Friday said the Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken charge of investigating who is responsible for this week's school threats. An FBI spokesperson declined comment.
Here is the entire email released by the Dallas Independent School District:
"My story starts here. I have been bullied every day here, in one of the district high schools. Just because, I am 'different'. I turned to religion, to solve my problems, and found faith and comfort in Allah. He has helped me through a lot. So now, I must help him. He has called upon me and my fellow comrades to take action against you blasphemers and non-believers. You have denied Allah for too long. My 46 Jihad affiliates and I are going to unleash an massacre of epic proportion, targeting every single school and student in the district. We have an assorted collection of Kalashnikov rifles, MG240 Light machine guns, RPG Launchers, .50 Cal Sniper rifles, hand grenades, and to top it off: suicide vests. We have already planted napalm, propane, and pressure cooker explosives in multiple schools. They are set to go off in places that will cause maximum structural damage to each building: for maximum casualty. First responders will be in for quite the surprise, as we have highly trained sniper forces straight from Ar Raqqa. We will fight for our cause tomorrow, and all students in every school in the entire district will be slaughtered for their blasphemy and unbelief in the one true God, Allah. You will no longer get away with your dishonesty to our prophet.
Allah has called upon us:
Quran (3:56) - "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help."
You will no longer deny the wrath of Allah. He has sent us to serve his holy army.
My name is (name redacted). You may not know this name now, but my name will be known to everyone. I will be known as the one man who truly saved this earth. For Allah.
And if you think you will stop us, by canceling schools, or perhaps, adding security, it will not help.
If school is canceled, then there will be bombings regardless of whether students are there or not, and mass shootings will be taken to the streets. If security is stepped up, for tomorrow's fatwa, it will not help. We will take out any police and other security by any means necessary, even if we go down with them."
The email was signed "Allah is the greatest."
The staff members received the threat at about 8 p.m. Wednesday, and authorities conducted a sweep of the schools and brought in bomb-sniffing dogs.
At 2:20 a.m. Thursday, Dallas police said they found no credible threat and released the buildings back to the district.
School was open Thursday after being deemed safe, but with a strong police presence.
