MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED FOR POSTING THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Published: 09/24/2024

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT ARRESTED FOR POSTING THREATS ON SOCIAL MEDIA

RIVERSIDE, CA - Late Monday night on September 23, 2024, Riverside Police Officers launched a School Threat Assessment and Response (S.T.A.R.) investigation after Central Middle School parents reported an Instagram post showing a student with a possible firearm and a list of classmates' names. Officers worked overnight to identify the student.

With assistance from the School Resource Officer assigned to Central Middle School, officers identified the student in the post suggesting school violence. A search of that student's home uncovered the weapon, which was a realistic toy gun.

A 13-year-old male juvenile was arrested and booked into a Riverside County juvenile detention facility for making criminal threats and conspiracy. A second middle school student will be charged with conspiracy as well.

Anyone with additional information regarding this investigation should contact School Resource Officer Ben Rodriguez at [email protected]or (951) 826-5638.

If you come across a social media post threatening violence against a school or individual, please report it to the City of Riverside Public Safety Communications Center's non-emergency line at (951) 354-2007.

If you see a concerning social media post suggesting potential school violence, but without a specific threat or individual mentioned, please report it through the Riverside Police Department's Atlas 1 mobile app using the "Send a Message" feature. Our mobile app can be downloaded at APPLE or ANDROID.