Attention Focused on Threats Against Southern California Schools Following Florida Shootings

Following the February 14th shooting at a Parkland, Florida high school that left 17 dead, threats have been reported at various Southern California schools; including in Long Beach, Newport Beach, Manhattan Beach, Rancho Cucamonga, and Whittier.

On February 14th, nineteen-year-old Nikolas Cruz killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida with an AR-15 rifle. Police say Cruz was equipped with a gas mask, smoke grenades, and multiple magazines when he entered the school. The aftermath of the shooting; the deadliest school shooting in the United States in the last five years, has sparked a nationwide debate over gun regulation.

Following the shooting, a fifteen-year-old student from Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach was arrested after posting a photo of a gun pointed at students on social media. Police say there was no immediate threat to the school but extra patrols have been put in place for the next few weeks.

At Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach, a graffiti threat on a desk promised that there would be violence at the school. Police determined the threat was not credible, and no classes were cancelled.

A seventeen-year-old student from El Camino High School in Whittier was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats. A search of his home uncovered two AR-15’s, two handguns, and 90 high-capacity magazines and ammunition.

A thirteen-year-old student from Vineyard Junior High in Rancho Cucamonga was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats after school staff learned of threats the boy had made on social media. Police determined there no threat to the school or staff.

Rumors on social media that warned Poly students of a planned school shooting gave rise to three separate police investigations at Long Beach and Riverside Poly High Schools as well as Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Some classes were reportedly cancelled at the university, while classes continued as scheduled at Long Beach and Riverside.

Two other threats were investigated at Milikan High School and Wilson High School in Long Beach. In both instances, police reported that students overheard the threats that were investigated.

While it may appear that the threats have increased since the Florida shooting, experts say these threats are not new and the numbers do not appear to have increased in Southern California. It’s more likely that the threats are getting more attention and students are more willing to report concerns. Police are also taking reports of concern much more seriously and investigating threats thoroughly.