Georgetown Police Department statement regarding incident with GISD students

On April 5, 2022, the Georgetown Police Department released the following statement:

“The Georgetown Police Department is aware of and actively investigating the incident that occurred recently involving juveniles. We are sensitive to the significant community concern and understandable interest in this incident. However, due to the fact that everyone involved in the incident are juveniles, the Georgetown Police Department is prohibited by law from sharing any details or updates on the case. We want to assure the community that we are and have been actively investigating this incident since we were notified of it, are working to learn all the facts and will take appropriate action based on those facts while abiding by confidentiality laws that protect juveniles.”

Since that time, the Georgetown Police Department has continued to actively investigate this incident. On Thursday, April 7, 2022, two juveniles were taken into custody pursuant to this investigation. Due to juvenile confidentiality laws, we are unable to release any information about juveniles who are taken into custody for offenses. In compliance with state law (specifically Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Section 15.27), notification of the arrests was made to the Georgetown ISD on April 7, 2022.

As discussed, due to the nature and sensitivity of the incident and the fact that juveniles were involved, very limited information has been released as a matter of law. This has caused a great deal of misinformation to be discussed and shared via social media across our community, which we would like to address. First, it has been stated that the Georgetown Police Department has failed to properly investigate this matter. This is not factual. A proper and thorough investigation has been conducted and arrests have been made pursuant to law. Second, it has been stated that the Georgetown Police Department has failed to collect video evidence. As of this statement, no video evidence regarding this incident has been discovered, secured or delivered to the Georgetown Police Department despite a significant amount of commentary on its existence. Anyone with knowledge about the existence or whereabouts of any video relating to this incident is asked to contact Georgetown Police Detective Ruben Vasquez. Detective Vasquez can be reached at 512-930-8420 or CID@georgetown.org.

We know that this incident has caused a significant amount of concern and discord within the Georgetown community. We want to thank the community for their cooperation as we continue working through this incident and its aftermath.