A 17-year-old male was arrested and booked for issuing threats of violence against a high school in Palm Desert, the latest in a distressing pattern of online threats targeting educational institutions.
The Riverside Sheriff’s Office reported receiving a tip at 6:02 p.m. on September 4, about threats posted online directed at a school located on Rattler Road, after this tip, an investigation in collaboration with the FBI pinpointed the origin of these threats to a home in Cathedral City, while no weapons were discovered at the residence, evidence affirming the threats was found leading to the minor's arrest on September 5.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, the suspect was identified by the sheriff’s school resource deputy, and with the aid of the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team and the Cathedral City Police Department, the youth was taken into custody and confined to juvenile hall on charges of making criminal threats.
While the investigation is ongoing and details are sparse, this incident adds to the county’s resolve in taking all threats of school violence seriously, the Sheriff’s office is urging the public to report any such online threats or suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, and anyone with information regarding the recent case is encouraged to reach out to Deputy Fongsamout Hohman at the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station.
