Killeen ISD police have increased patrols around Fowler Elementary School after three children reported a man trying to lure them to his car as they walked to school Friday morning.

In a media release, Principal Joyce Lauer said the children were walking on Auburn Drive near Griffith Loop between 7:15 AM and 7:35 AM Friday when a man wearing a mask covering the lower half of his face and carrying car keys approached them. The man reportedly tried to convince the children to follow him to his car, but they refused and arrived safely to school.

The masked individual was described as a white man standing at 6'1". No further details were available.

Principal Laeur sent the following message to parents shortly before school was scheduled to be dismissed at 3 PM Friday:

“This is Joyce Lauer, principal of Fowler Elementary School, calling with an important message for parents regarding student safety.

Three Fowler Elementary School students who walked to school this morning have reported to us that they were approached by an unidentified man who tried to convince them to get into his car. The students said this man was a white male about 6-feet-one-inches tall and that he was wearing a half ski mask that partially covered his face, and he was holding car keys. The students said they did not see the man’s car. No one was harmed, and the three students made it safely to school.

The students said they were walking down a sidewalk on Auburn Drive near Griffith Loop when the man approached them.

Killeen Police are investigating, and the school district police department has increased police patrols in the area. Police and security officials are working closely with us at Fowler Elementary School to make sure students stay safe.

We encourage parents this afternoon and every school day to help us to keep watch over our students as they travel to and from school. Please help us to remind students to never get into a car with or go somewhere with a stranger, and to always report any safety concern.

Thank you. Again, this is Joyce Lauer, principal of Fowler Elementary School.”

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