Girl, 13, arrested for violent threats targeting Southern California school, classmates

A 13-year-old girl accused of making online threats of violence targeting a Riverside middle school was arrested Tuesday, authorities announced.

In a news release, officials with the Riverside Police Department said the threats, posted to social media on Sept. 13, were aimed at Chemawa Middle School and specific students, prompting many parents to pull their children out of the school over safety concerns.

Over the weekend, police say they received several tips as to who may have been responsible for the violent threats.

“On Tuesday, September 17 ^th , our School Resource Officer assigned to Chemawa Middle School identified a 13-year-old female student as the one who posted the original threat on social along with the second post listing names of targeted classmates,” the release stated.

After a search of the teen’s home, officers determined that she did not have access to any weapons.

The unidentified girl was arrested and booked at a Riverside County juvenile detention facility for making criminal threats against the school and fellow students.

Following the arrest, Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said that these types of disruptions must stop so that children can focus on their education.

“Students who make threats of school violence on social media or by other means will face strict criminal consequences and severe disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion,” the police chief added. “We will not tolerate any behavior that undermines the safety and security of our schools.”

Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact School Resource Officer Mike Cupido at MCupido@RiversideCA.gov or by calling 951-353-7948.

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