US Embassy in Honduras issues security alert for US citizens following mass shooting threat

MEXICO CITY

The US Embassy in Honduras issued a security alert Tuesday to all US citizens residing in the country after it received information about a potential mass shooting threat.

It said an undisclosed source had threatened to carry out mass shootings Tuesday and on May 16. The three target locations mentioned were Elliot Dover Christian School, the Centro Civico and an unnamed mall, all located in the capital Tegucigalpa.

“Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, U.S. Embassy personnel have been instructed to avoid those locations. U.S. citizens are strongly urged to also avoid these locations,” it said.

“At this time, there is no information to suggest that the threat is targeted specifically towards U.S. citizens. The Embassy is cooperating with Honduran police in investigating this threat,” it added.

Honduran authorities have not announced stepped-up security procedures in light of the threats.

However, Honduran National Police spokesman Miguel Martinez Madrid told members of the press that there are no signs the threats are being carried out and said the alert “has caused mass hysteria."

“These types of alerts are part of embassy security protocols to protect their citizens. Although the information may not be confirmed, issuing such an alert does not mean that an event is currently unfolding,” said Madrid.