The Bangs Police Department announced today that three students are now suspects in connection with the extensive vandalism that occurred at Bangs High School in September 2008. The investigation has been ongoing, but lacked enough evidence to be solved until a discovery this week.
Police say that while they were investigating some recent break-ins at Bangs Middle School, information led them to the three juveniles. During questioning, one of the juveniles confessed to the 2008 incident police said. At the time of the vandalism in 2008, the three male suspects were ages 13, 12, and 9.
The investigation into this new information is ongoing and police believe the three could be connected with other burglaries in the area. The three suspects could be facing charges of arson (a 1st degree felony), burglary of a building and criminal mischief. The three were released back to their parents for now until formal charges are filed with the DA’s office.
“It’s a happy day because the case is solved, but it’s now in the hands of the system,” said Bangs ISD Superintendent Bill Foster. “It’s a sad day because of a poor decision made two years ago, these kids’ lives will be forever changed.”
The vandalism at the school in 2008 was extensive to the school’s library, kitchen, and hallways. An attempt to start a fire in the library was unsuccessful but the efforts left behind significant smoke damage.