California police arrest 13-year-old student accused of making false threats against school

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — A investigation into reported verbal threats made by a student at a Roseville middle school led authorities to arrest another student who created “fake social media accounts to spread false threats to create fear,” police said.

The 13-year-old student was arrested on suspicion of making criminal threats and booked at the Placer County Juvenile Hall, the Roseville Police Department announced Wednesday in a news release. The Police Department did not release the student’s name because he is a minor.

The reported threats were made against Silverado Middle School on Country Club Drive in Roseville.

On Monday, school officials received a report of a verbal threat involving a weapon made by a student against Silverado Middle School, according to the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District.

School administrators spoke to the student about the alleged threat and determined no weapon was present on campus, school district officials said.

Police said officers investigated and determined that no crime had occurred, and there were no credible threats to the safety of students or staff.

School district officials said all students and staff were safe to return to campus the following day.

“We understand that such incidents can be unsettling, and we are committed to ensuring a safe environment for our school community,” school district officials said Monday evening in a Facebook post. “Our school counselors and support staff are available to provide any necessary support to students.”

There was a police presence before and after school on Tuesday, and there were additional staff present to increase supervision and safety at the middle school.

“We are incredibly thankful to the students who were made aware of the threat and reported it immediately to a trusted school official,” school district officials said Monday. “Students who engage in such behavior will face disciplinary action.”

During the police investigation, detectives discovered that another student, the 13-year-old boy, had created social media accounts. The student used the “fake social media accounts to post false threats intended to incite fear and panic,” police said in the news release.

About 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, officers arrested the student who allegedly posted the false threats online.

“It’s crucial to emphasize that all threats will be taken seriously by our district, even if made in a joking manner, and appropriate safety measures and disciplinary action will be taken,” Dry Creek district officials said Wednesday in a Facebook post announcing the student’s arrest. “We encourage families to discuss with their students the importance of following school rules and the seriousness of making any type of threat.”

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