HOUSTON -- A Tomball High School student was in court on Friday, after he made a joking threat about bringing a weapon to school and opening fire in the cafeteria, KPRC Local 2 reported.

William Ray Tyson Jr., 18, is charged with making a terroristic threat, a third-degree felony.

Officials said he was overheard telling friends on April 27 that he planned to bring an assault rifle to school and shoot students during lunch period.

Tyson's lawyer said he made the comment as a joke and did not mean it.

"He told the police it was a joke. He has no AK-47, and he has no weapons whatsoever to do anything with. But, he made a joke, and now he gets to be incarcerated for it," defense attorney Ted Doebbler said.

Officials said at least one student felt threatened enough to report what Tyson said, and Tyson was arrested on Monday.

"It's going to be awhile before any of us forget what happened with Virginia Tech. And I think when you're making statements like that, we can't disregard those statements as, 'OK, let's wait and see.' Because if we wait and see, that could mean people's lives," said Lt. Anthony Solomon with the Tomball Police Department.

The Harris County district attorney's office said in this day and age, it cannot tolerate jokes made about violent events.

Tyson's parents admitted it was a dumb statement to make but said they believe police and prosecutors are making too much of it.

"I think it's a big overreaction," mother Lesa Tyson said. "He's a good kid. He's never been in trouble. He's an usher at the church. He works full-time. He goes to school full-time and I just think this was a huge mistake."

Tyson remained behind bars on a $20,000 bond.

The felony charge carries up to a 10-year sentence.