(FOX40.COM) — Several arrests were recently made, including one of a 13-year-old girl, in connection to a series of school shooting threats made online in Northern California.
Over the last few days, local law enforcement agencies and school districts have been on high alert because of a nationwide trend of reposting threats of gun violence on social media platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. Multiple campuses in Northern California have been targeted in the posts, but police said the threats are not credible. Still, several teens have been arrested.
Student arrested amid school threats circulating through Northern California Modesto
Two Modesto students were arrested Monday in connection to posting threats of campus violence on social media.
The first arrest was a Modesto High School student, according to the Modesto Police Department .
“Throughout the weekend, the Modesto Police Department received multiple reports of threats of violence directed towards schools in our community,” MPD said in a statement.
Several school shooting threats in Northern California prompt police to be on high alert The threats were investigated, and although they appeared to be part of a statewide hoax or scam, the impact they had on our community was real leaving students and their families fearful and scared.”
The Modesto High School student reportedly posted one of the threats along with a picture of a firearm and was identified, according to MPD. The student was located by school staff, arrested, and booked into the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall on charges related to the threats.
The second arrest was a middle school student who police said was not connected to the first arrest.
“These threats, separate from the other incident involving Modesto High School, involved students overhearing another student threatening to commit the shooting during the school day,” MPD said . “These concerned students who overheard the threats reported it to their parents, who in turn reported them to MPD Sunday night.”
Officers said they notified the middle school and conducted an investigation. They discovered the student was not in attendance Monday and went to his home. He was arrested and booked into the Stanislaus County Juvenile Hall.
Manteca
The Manteca Police Department arrested a 13-year-old girl Monday for allegedly posting a threat on Instagram that targeted police, specific students at Sequoia Elementary School, and a shooting at Manteca High School.
Police said her threats were separate from the school shooting threats and rumors circulating on social media. Police said the 13-year-old girl stayed home from school Monday, but “did not
have the actual means” of carrying out the the threats. According to MPD, she wanted to instill fear in the student whose name she listed.
“Her parents were contacted and cooperative with the investigation,” police said. “It is important for parents to speak to their children regarding the real consequences of making
threats in person or online. And that those threats will be investigated and result in consequences to the threat-maker.”
The suspect will be booked into juvenile hall. Anyone with information about the incident can call the Manteca Police Department at 209.456.8101.
Lodi
The Lodi Police Department arrested a 15-year-old boy Monday in connection with threats of violence directed at a local school. The juvenile has been booked into juvenile hall and police said a search warrant was executed at his residence. The findings have not yet been released.
“We treat such threats with extreme importance, as there is no tolerance for violence or threats within our educational environments,” LPD said. “In light of these events, we have proactively enhanced security measures and increased patrols at our schools.”
LPD added, “we urge parents to engage in discussions with their children about the responsible use of social media and the seriousness of threats involving schools. Parental involvement can help mitigate risks to ensure their children are adequately navigating these important responsibilities.”
The suspect was not enrolled in the Lodi Unified School District.
Stanislaus County
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and Newman Police Department used a search warrant to investigate a 14-year-old boy suspected of posting violent threats against schools on social media.
“Together, the Newman Police Department and the Sheriff’s Office were able to verify that the juvenile was responsible for posting the threats,” SCSO said. “The investigation will continue to determine if the individual acted alone and if he made other threatening posts.”
The department said they are pursuing charges for criminal threats and cyber harassment.
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