Man taken into custody after climbing fence at north Houston elementary school, HISD says

A man was taken into custody Tuesday morning for trespassing on the property of a north Houston elementary school, according to Houston ISD.

It occurred around 5:30 a.m. at Durham Elementary School on Brinkman Street, just off North Shepherd Drive and south of Pinemont Drive. Parents informed KHOU 11 that they witnessed a man climb the school’s fence and briefly confront a maintenance worker.

In an email to families, Durham’s principal stated that staff immediately reported the incident to police. The letter claims that HISD officers swept the campus to make sure it was safe and unobstructed.

Officers later spotted the suspect at a local park and a convenience shop.

A cellphone video shows several HISD police officers surrounding the man in the store’s parking area while he rants at them. Officers quickly take him down, zap him, and throw him in handcuffs.

Some parents expressed frustration with how long the incident took and questioned why the man was not arrested sooner.

“Why was that person still around after the initial trespassing?” a parent asked KHOU 11. “It simply cannot conclude with him back in the vicinity of the school. Parents must go to work and trust that their children will be protected.”

The defendant, Jorge Balmaceda, 31, was charged with criminal retribution, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s office. A representative verified that retaliation is the more serious crime, although trespassing would have been simply a misdemeanor.

In a statement, HISD stated its officers responded swiftly after receiving allegations of a trespasser on campus but were initially unable to locate him. They later found a man who fit the description at a neighboring store.

The school district reported that the man became aggressive during his detention. “Officers apprehended the man and filed charges. At no point were students or personnel in danger, nor did the individual obtain access to the school building.”

Durham Elementary complimented staff for their prompt response and highlighted that safety is still the school’s top priority.

“We are grateful for our staff’s prompt response and the support of local authorities,” the school’s letter read. “The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority, and we will continue to follow all safety procedures to ensure a secure learning environment.”