WILLIS, Texas (KTRK) -- A Willis High School student who stated he was going to shoot his classmates on Thursday morning was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats, authorities said.

Willis ISD said in a statement that the student said he was joking, but even in jest, the statement was treated the same as an actual threat.

The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office confirmed the 15-year-old was charged with making terroristic threats on Thursday.