MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER MAKING ONLINE THREATS OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE

Published: 09/17/2024

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER MAKING ONLINE THREATS OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE

 

RIVERSIDE, CA – In recent days, a wave of school violence threats has been circulating on social media across the country.  While many of these threats have proven unsubstantiated, some have led to the arrest of juveniles responsible for making them. One such threat made in Riverside last Friday, targeted Chemawa Middle School.  This caused significant concern among parents, prompting many to withdraw their children early due to safety fears.  Our School Resource Officers promptly launched an investigation to trace the origin of this threat and ensure the safety of the school community.

 

Over the weekend, tips came in as to who may have been responsible for this threat.  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 media along with a second post listing names of targeted classmates. 

 

A thorough School Threat Assessment and Response, or S.T.A.R. Protocol, was conducted and officers determined the student did not have access to weapons after a search of her home.  She was arrested and later booked into a Riverside County juvenile detention facility for making criminal threats against the school and other students.

 

As Chief Larry Gonzalez stated recently after an Arlington High School student was arrested for making criminal threats against his school and principal, the Riverside Police Department treats all threats of school violence with the utmost seriousness, regardless of intent.

 

“These recent disruptions to our schools must stop immediately so that our children can focus on their education,” Chief Gonzalez said following today’s arrest.  “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.  We will not tolerate any behavior that undermines the safety and security of our schools.”

 

Anyone with additional information regarding this criminal threats investigation should contact School Resource Officer Mike Cupido at [email protected] or (951) 353-7948.  Those wishing to remain anonymous can download the Riverside Police Department’s “Atlas 1” mobile app and utilize the “Send a Message” feature to send us the information.  Our mobile app can be downloaded at APPLE or ANDROID.

 

The Riverside Unified School District has provided some high-level tips and tools for all families in our community to help manage phone usage, downloads, and social media engagement.  These include parent guides to TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram, along with parental control tips for iPhones, iPads, and Google Family Link. Click on the link below to learn more:

https://www.riversideunified.org/important_information/media_guidelines