Eustace student booked for threats

By Art Lawler

May 23, 2008 09:54 am

— EUSTACE — A high school student accused of making a hit list including the names of several top students and athletes at Eustace High School has been arrested and charged with making terroristic threats.
Chris Underhill, 18 — only a week away from graduation ceremonies — was taken into custody Thursday morning from the district’s Discipline Alternative Education Program (DAEP). The rest of the students were in lockdown until Underhill was taken away from the school.
Underhill was arrested by Eustace Police Chief Robert Walker at the site and charged with the third-degree felony.
Underhill remained in jail late Thursday night where he remains in lieu of a $50,000 bond.
Eustace High School Principal Stan Sowers said that while school officials have heard reports from students about the hit list, school officials hadn’t actually seen it.
Walker declined to say whether evidence he collected before arresting Underhill included such a list. He said late Thursday afternoon that the Eustace Police Department has requested a search warrant to search the teen-ager’s home where he lives with his parents.
School officials set up a plan of action last Friday to help ensure the safety of Eustace students once news of the list got out on campus.
A letter went home with high school students Thursday explaining about the arrest. The letter states that since the incident has come to light, access to outside doors at the school has been limited. For the remainder of school, the letter states, all “outside activity” will be limited.
“We’ve had a plan all along, and we feel like we’ve executed the plan well,” said Sowers said. “We feel confident in the security of the school, and we will continue to take necessary precautions.”
Sowers said for peace of mind, officials had decided to take Underhill out of the main population of the school and put him in DAEP, partly because other students had been teasing him since the story got out.
Since then, Underhill has been closely accompanied by law enforcement authorities.
“We have been picking him up each morning (campus police) and taking him to school and then home again after school,” Sowers said.
Underhill has been escorted to the alternative school under close watch at all times.
The incident appeared to be winding down on Wednesday, according to Sowers, but after new information was brought forth by other students. Walker said he felt he had sufficient cause to charge the student with the felony on Thursday.
Walker consulted with Texas Ranger Trace McDonald and the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office prior to making the arrest.
“I really appreciated the assistance of Trace McDonald and the D.A.’s office,” Walker said.
The arrest was made without incident, and Walker complimented Underhill on his cooperation during the interview.
Sowers said Underhill will receive his high school diploma, but added he will not be included in the graduation ceremonies.
Charles Stiff contributed to this story.