U.S. Embassy warns of imminent mass shooting threats in Honduras targeting schools and public areas, as the FBI’s intelligence triggers heightened security measures in a country already plagued by violence and political instability.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. Embassy in Honduras issued an urgent security alert regarding potential mass shootings in Tegucigalpa on May 6 and May 16, targeting Elliot Dover Christian School, Centro Civico, and an unnamed mall.
- FBI intelligence prompted the warning, leading Honduran authorities to deploy security forces at the threatened locations while investigating the credibility of the threats.
- Honduran officials expressed concern that these threats may be politically motivated to create fear during an election year, comparing tactics to those used during the 2009 coup.
- Honduras maintains a level three travel advisory for Americans due to widespread violent crime, with some regions like Gracias a Dios Department elevated to level four danger status.
- U.S. citizens are strongly urged to avoid the named locations on the specified dates, though Americans are not believed to be specifically targeted.
Security Alert Details and Emergency Response
The U.S. Embassy in Honduras has issued an urgent security alert after receiving credible information about potential mass shooting threats targeting multiple locations in Tegucigalpa. The threat specifically names Elliot Dover Christian School, Centro Civico, and an unidentified shopping mall as potential targets on May 6 and May 16. In response, Honduran authorities have deployed police and security forces to these locations, particularly around the school where children and families could be at risk. The embassy has instructed all U.S. personnel to avoid these areas completely during the specified dates.
“The U.S. Embassy in Honduras has received information of a threat of a mass shooting to take place today, May 6, in Tegucigalpa. The source also threatened such an event on May 16. The three target locations mentioned are the Elliot Dover Christian School in Tegucigalpa, the Centro Civico in Tegucigalpa, and an unnamed mall in Tegucigalpa,” stated the U.S. Embassy.
Tegucigalpa, Honduras: The U.S. Embassy in Honduras has received information of a threat of a mass shooting to take place May 6 and May 16. The three Tegucigalpa target locations mentioned are the Elliot Dover Christian School, the Centro Civico, and an unnamed mall.
U.S.… pic.twitter.com/IBnNcjl01S— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) May 6, 2025
FBI Intelligence and Honduran Government Response
The alert originated from FBI intelligence shared with the U.S. Embassy in Honduras, triggering international security protocols. Honduran officials confirmed they are taking the threats seriously, with the information being immediately shared with the Secretariat of Security and Armed Forces for investigation and prevention measures. Police spokesman Juan Manuel Aguilar Godoy explained that authorities are following standard protocols to verify the credibility of the information before determining appropriate security responses. This includes intelligence gathering and source verification.
“The FBI was the one who obtained the information, and according to international regulations, they are obligated to notify their citizens. They are a source from the US government, and we give it the corresponding treatment,” explained Juan Manuel Aguilar Godoy, Honduran police spokesman.
Honduras’ Foreign Affairs Minister Enrique Reina confirmed the government’s commitment to investigating the threats, stating, “The necessary investigations will be carried out to bring those responsible to justice.” Reina has expressed particular concern about the potential political motivations behind these threats, noting the timing during an election year and comparing the situation to tactics used during Honduras’ tumultuous political past, including the 2009 coup and subsequent period of narco-state corruption.
Political Context and Travel Advisories
The security alert comes against a backdrop of ongoing political instability in Honduras. The country experienced a violent military coup in 2009, followed by a decade marked by violence and corruption. Former President Juan Orlando Hernandez was recently sentenced in the United States for drug trafficking, highlighting the deep connections between past Honduran political leadership and organized crime. The current administration under President Xiomara Castro faces the challenge of addressing these threats while being wary of potential political manipulation.
“It is concerning the intention to create fear and anxiety among the Honduran people, especially in an election year, which coincides with the tactics used by criminal groups to carry out their criminal activities and media manipulations in collusion with political groups during the (2009) coup d’état and the narco-state,” stated Enrique Reina, Honduras’ Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Honduras currently maintains a level three U.S. State Department travel advisory, recommending Americans “reconsider travel” to the country due to widespread violent crime. Some regions, particularly the Gracias a Dios Department, carry an even more severe level four advisory (“do not travel”) due to extreme levels of criminal activity and narcotics trafficking. The State Department frequently updates these advisories based on the security situation, which includes frequent demonstrations that can quickly turn violent and the implementation of a “State of Exception” in response to high crime levels.
Safety Recommendations for Americans
While the embassy has indicated there is no specific intelligence suggesting American citizens are being directly targeted in these potential attacks, all U.S. citizens in Honduras are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution. “Due to the serious risk posed by this threat, U.S. Embassy personnel have been instructed to avoid those locations,” the embassy warned, adding that “U.S. citizens are strongly urged to also avoid these locations.” Americans in Honduras should remain vigilant, avoid the specified locations on the threat dates, and follow local news for updates.
“U.S. citizens are strongly urged to also avoid these locations,” warned the U.S. Embassy in Honduras.
General safety precautions for Americans in Honduras include avoiding demonstrations, not traveling at night, and refraining from displaying wealth or expensive items that might attract criminal attention. The embassy continues to coordinate with local law enforcement as they investigate the credibility and source of these threats. Travelers are advised to monitor the U.S. Embassy website and social media for any updates or additional warnings as the situation develops.
