Dallas

Gov. Abbott Calls Irving Teen's Arrest a Tragic Situation

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott says police may have erred in arresting a 14-year-old Irving student whose homemade electronic clock led to his detention and suspension from school.

Abbott made a stop in Dallas Thursday as part of a grassroots tour throughout the state. It was a packed house at the Pecan Lodge in Deep Ellum, where Abbott talked about what he believes are the successes of the 84th Legislature and his vision for the future.

Abbott also answered questions about Ahmed Mohamed, the MacArthur High School student who brought his homemade clock to school Monday. A teacher and police officer believed the "suspicious looking" device was a "hoax bomb," and Ahmed was handcuffed and taken to the Irving Police Department.

"The last thing we want to do is put handcuffs on a kid unjustifiably. Just call this a tragic situation, that it looks like commitment to law enforcement may have gone too far, didn't balance all of the facts. But it is fair for me to say I don't know all of the facts," Abbott said Thursday.

No charges were filed, but Ahmed's suspension was not lifted. School officials say his religion wasn't a factor in the incident.

As for Wednesday's Republican presidential debate, Abbott said he watched the debate and joked that it was like a wrestling match.

Abbott commented to the crowd on political outsiders' success in the 2016 race of the White House.

"Americans – Republican and Democrat – are particularly tired of Washington leaders not taking care of business. That's why you see among the top three candidates in the Republican party never having held office before. That is why you see Bernie Sanders leading the way in the Democrat party," the governor said.

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