Online Bomb Threat Toward Murrieta Mesa 'Not Credible'

School and law enforcement officials Tuesday said threats of violence made online toward Murrieta Mesa High School were not credible.

The threats, according to Murrieta police Sgt. David Baca, were that "someone would try to shoot people coming out of school and bombs would be detonated."

Baca said the threats were made on Internet chat site 4chan.org, and were brought to the attention of the Murrieta Police Department by an individual who read the posting.

"...He realized he should call the police..." Baca said.

"Through court orders we contacted the Internet site and through search warrants we were able to find out the IP address of where the message was sent from," Baca told Patch. "It was sent from an address of a Murrieta residence, which was later discovered to be the residence of the juvenile (who admitted making the threats)."

In an email sent to parents Tuesday, Principal Mary Walters said the posting surfaced when the campus was closed for spring break.

"...a 14-year old boy, who is not a student in our district, posted an online threat against Murrieta Mesa which police determined was not a credible threat," Walters wrote.

An article in The Press-Enterprise Monday identified the boy as a student at, located on Jefferson Avenue in Murrieta.

Walters said Murrieta police searched the boy’s home and "did not find any evidence that the boy had the intention, ability or means to carry out his threats."

Baca confirmed police found nothing "whatsoever" indicating the boy would or could follow through.

"He admitted he wanted to see what type of reaction he would get," Baca said. "From what I understood, if he got a lot of support from people he would continue using the Internet site, and if he got no support he would stop using that chat room or site."

Walters assured there was no cause for alarm.

"While his comments were disturbing, police have assured us the threat was not even remotely credible and at no time were our students or staff in any danger," Walters wrote.