Posted on 01/25/2007 1:58:11 PM PST by Arec Barrwin
Updated: Jan. 25, 2007, 1:11 PM ET
Athlete who fled Katrina jailed for making bomb threat Associated Press
DENTON, Texas -- A high school basketball star is accused of calling in a bomb threat to the school the night of a game he was missing because of a suspension for fighting.
Howard Stirgus, an 18-year-old who came to Denton in 2005 after fleeing New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, was jailed on suspicion of making a false alarm and abusing the 911 system.
Authorities said he called Denton High School on Tuesday night, claiming there was a bomb in the building that would detonate in minutes. The call delayed the start of a doubleheader between the Denton and Guyer girls and boys teams for more than an hour while authorities searched the school.
According to a police report, Stirgus admitted making the calls. He remained in the Denton County Jail on Thursday on a $12,500 bond, jail officials said. It was unclear if he had an attorney yet.
Denton Independent School District Athletic Director Ken Purcell said Stirgus, who averages 21.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game, would not play pending a district investigation.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
NBA material fer shure.
Anyone wanna bet he used his home phone, or his mobile, to call in the bomb threat?
verry kreative...got skeels.
Or NFL.
He was only doing what the Nike commercials taught him to do: "Just Do It."
He was only doing what the Nike commercials taught him to do: "Just Do It."
Somehow Katrina has become his personal guilt.
I rightfully blame Mayor Bill White (D) as well who had no "exit strategy". It was all about his re-election, the locals be damned.
What does a hurricane have to do with this? Strange story.
I was wondering the same thing. Yea he moved here because of Katrina, so that made him call in a hoax bomb threat..how?
Stirgus arrested, suspended from team
Denton player allegedly called in bomb threat
07:20 AM CST on Thursday, January 25, 2007
Denton forward Howard Stirgus has been suspended indefinitely from the boys basketball team after being arrested late Tuesday night.
He remained in a city jail late Wednesday for allegedly making a false alarm or report of an emergency and abusing the 911 system.
Denton Independent School District athletic director Ken Purcell said the senior will not play for the Broncos until the district has completed its own investigation, and he declined further comment citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which states a school cannot release any information from a students education record without written permission from the parent or eligible student.
Broncos head coach Harold Jackson declined to comment.
Were following our student code of conduct as far as disciplinary procedure goes, said Sharon Cox, Denton Independent School District spokeswoman.
According to the police report, Stirgus allegedly began calling Denton High School at about 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday while the school was hosting a doubleheader between the Denton and Guyer girls and boys basketball teams, claiming there was a bomb in the building and it would detonate in a matter of minutes.
Stirgus, 18, was not allowed to play in the game because he was suspended from school for three days for fighting. According to the report, Stirgus admitted making the calls but didnt say much else.
The girls game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m., was delayed by more than an hour while police and fire officials searched the school. Both games were played Tuesday night, and the Broncos beat Guyer, 64-63, without Stirgus.
Stirgus absence will be hard on the Broncos, who already lack size inside. The 6-2 forward averages 21.9 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The Broncos are 2-1 on the season without Stirgus, including Tuesdays win. He previously missed two tournament games in December for undisclosed reasons, but was not injured.
Against Guyer on Tuesday, Aaron Smiley and Kevin Roberts absorbed a lot of Stirgus playing time. Smiley recorded eight points.
Stirgus, a New Orleans native, joined the Broncos in the fall of 2005 after fleeing from Hurricane Katrina.
JEFF ANDREWS can be reached at 940-566-6873. His e-mail address is jandrews@dentonrc.com
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