Stockton police arrested two teenagers this week in connection with threats made online against area schools, authorities say.
A 16-year-old Lincoln Unified student was taken into custody after police said they made threatening posts on social media, according to a Stockton Police Department press release posted to the department’s Facebook page on Monday. However, police say the threats were later found to be unsubstantiated.
The following day Stockton police said they also arrested a 15-year-old male Lodi Unified student after he was allegedly found to have made a “threatening video against a local elementary school,” according to another department press release. Lodi Unified identified the teen as a Bear Creek High School student.
Police say he is facing charges related to criminal threats.
“The student was not on the Bear Creek High campus today, and the student will face appropriate disciplinary action,” Lodi Unified School District officials said in a social media post Tuesday.
Stockton police say it is continuing to investigate a surge in school threats throughout the city, which mirrors a nationwide social media trend promoting violence at schools.
“All potential threats have been thoroughly investigated, with most being general and not targeting any specific school,” police officials said Monday. “These threats have impacted both local and national schools and school districts.”
Myriad school districts across northern California have had schools named as possible targets. Some of these other alleged threats have also resulted in recent arrests, including two Modesto teens and another from Manteca.
At least one image of a threat against a school also made its way to a local Stockton Reddit page, where the original poster complained about the proliferation of school shooting threats all over social media.
The image contained multiple social media posts, though much of it appeared to be censored by emojis. However, some threatening phrases were visible.
The post appeared to say in part,“I will be shooting up the school 9/16/24. I want all kids to go to school. Good Luck”.
“It’s crucial for parents and students to realize that making threats can lead to disciplinary action at their school, including potential legal consequences,” police said.
The Stockton Police Department says it’s working closely with local authorities to address any threats made against schools and provide a presence at schools to ensure safety.
“We take these threats very seriously, and the public’s safety is our utmost priority,” police officials said.
Lodi Unified School District officials recommended anyone with safety concerns should submit tips, which can be made anonymously, to Sandy Hook Promise.