Student Arrested for Alleged Online Threat Against Teacher

Editor's Note: This story was updated at 7:36 p.m. Feb. 5 to include the nature of the alleged threat, according to a news release issued by Murrieta police Sgt. Robert Anderson.

A 17-year-old student at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta was arrested Monday on suspicion of making an online threat to kill a teacher, police confirmed Tuesday.

A Murrieta police school resource officer became aware of the alleged threat by way of the social media website, Twitter, according to Murrieta police Lt. Tony Conrad.

The officer called for assistance from other officers at about 12:50 p.m. Monday to the campus at 28251 Clinton Keith Road, police radio traffic indicated.

"(School) staff and PD worked closely on this case and action was taken within minutes of receiving the information about the threat," Conrad told Patch.

When it was determined the student had left campus, officers went to his home address, police radio traffic indicated. The student was taken into custody at about 1:30 p.m. on suspicion of making a criminal threat.

Police searched the student's home for weapons, as the photo seen online showed him with a gun or guns, police radio traffic indicated.

A search of the home revealed no weapons, according to police.

"But it was determined the weapons in the photograph(s) belonged to a family member of the 17-year-old student suspect," Conrad said.

The student no longer had access to the weapons, according to police.

The student was taken to the Murrieta Police Department for questioning, where an investigation ensued and it was determined the threat was credible, Conrad confirmed.

The student was later booked at a juvenile detention center, Conrad said.

"It should be noted all threats against school district officials, teachers, staff, students, buses or bus drivers or the school site itself are taken seriously and investigated by the Murrieta PD Juvenile Investigations Division," Conrad said. "Zero tolerance is the policy if any criminal violations are discovered…an arrest will be made and charges will be submitted to the District Attorney."

Parents of Vista Murrieta High School students on Monday received the following message about the alleged threat:

School administrators were notified and they immediately informed Murrieta Police who investigated the matter and took the student into custody. Police have confirmed that at no time were students in any danger.

Parents can rest assured that the school and district take this incident very seriously and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Our number one priority is student safety and our school has several safeguards and emergency procedures in place to ensure staff and student safety.

In order for our school to remain a safe haven, we must all work together to provide the safe environment that our students deserve. Anyone who has information about this incident is encouraged to contact Murrieta Police Department’s 24-hour dispatch line at (951) 696-3615 or an anonymous call may be made to We Tip at 800 1-800-78-CRIME -or- 1-800-782-7463.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office.

In August 2012, two Vista Murrieta students were arrested and charged in connection with plotting a large attack on the school, which they had allegedly made plans to carry out in 2015.