MENIFEE (CNS) – A pair of students from a high school in Menifee were arrested today for allegedly threatening violence on the campus. According to Menifee police Capt. Dave Gutierrez, administrators from the Perris Union High School District contacted officers about 9 p.m. Tuesday, September 7, regarding threats circulated via social media, referencing “potential violence planned for Wednesday” at Heritage High School.
Gutierrez said an investigation was initiated, and the two students allegedly involved in making the threatening statements were identified overnight. The boys’ identities were withheld because they are juveniles. Detectives went to the suspects’ respective residences and questioned them and their parents, according to the captain.
“Based on their investigation, detectives determined the students did not have the current means to follow through on their threats,” he said. “However, due to the nature of the threats and the method of dissemination, both students were arrested for criminal threats to a school by a person under 18 years old.”
He added that detectives “do not believe there is any ongoing threat to the safety of students” at Heritage High, where classes were in session Wednesday.
Investigators did not provide a possible motive for the alleged behavior of the teens, who were booked into Riverside Juvenile Hall, or specific details of the threats. Anyone with information about the recent threats, or who may have knowledge about others, was encouraged to contact the Menifee Police Department at 951-723-1500. Copyright 2021, City News Service, Inc.