Arrest made in connection with Progreso High School lockdown

PROGRESO — Authorities arrested Victor Javier Snell on Friday after he allegedly threatened to kill his wife while she worked as a teacher at Progreso High School.

Officials locked down the school for most of the day.

Snell did not follow through on the threat, and school officials said no one on campus was harmed.

San Juan police arrested Snell on a warrant for allegedly violating a protection order earlier in the month that his wife had taken out against him, said San Juan police Investigator Rolando Garcia.

Garcia was unsure if new charges would be brought against Snell in connection with the threat that resulted in Friday’s lockdown.

Officials ordered the high school closed about 9 a.m. Friday after a teacher called to say she could not work because of the threat, said Linda Silva, a spokeswoman for the school district.

Authorities did not identify the teacher.

The lockdown ended about 1:30 p.m. after the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office told school officials it was safe.

Snell and his wife had been separated before the incident. Officials said they had received previous complaints about him.

Zack Quaintance covers law enforcement and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.

Jared Taylor covers Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach him at (956) 683-4439.