Another Young Teen Makes Criminal Threats Against RivCo School: Cops

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A day after the Murrieta Police Department reported that a young teen made criminal threats against a middle school in that city, a 13-year-old boy is also suspected of making criminal threats against a middle school in Moreno Valley.

There was no indication that the two alleged incidents were related.

In the Moreno Valley case, investigators responded to multiple calls Sunday around 5:10 p.m. from concerned students and parents regarding a gun violence threat against Mountain View Middle School posted on social media, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

The suspect was later identified as a teenage boy who was booked at the Riverside Juvenile Hall on suspicion of making criminal threats against the school and staff.

"The investigation quickly revealed the picture of the weapons was an image taken from the internet," sheriff's officials said in a statement.

There were no reports of any injuries, and investigators said they believe the threat is an isolated incident. Additional deputies were on campus Monday to provide extra safety measures and security.

"We take these incidents very seriously and the safety and security of our schools remains a top priority. School officials worked cooperatively with the Moreno Valley Sheriff's Station, having the best interest of the children in mind. We applaud those who came forward with the information and encourage students and parents to communicate when they see or hear a threat," sheriff's officials said.

Anyone with information regarding the criminal threat was urged to call Moreno Valley Station Deputy Daniel Ramirez at 951-486-6700.

On Monday, the Murrieta Police Department announced that a former Warm Springs Middle School student was arrested over the weekend, and four firearms were seized from the family home after the child allegedly made online threats toward the campus.

The 13-year-old, whose identity was not released due to age, was taken into custody following a Murrieta Police Department investigation that began at approximately 11:19 p.m. Saturday.

According to the law enforcement agency, an Instagram user made online threats toward the campus and tagged the school's Instagram account.

"School Resource Officers responded to investigate and quickly identified the juvenile suspect as a 13-year-old former student of the school," the agency reported. "A search warrant was served at the suspect's residence, which resulted in the juvenile's arrest and seizure of four firearms belonging to a family member."

The child was placed into Juvenile Hall, but booking information was unavailable.

"We take the safety and security of our schools with the utmost seriousness and are satisfied that this threat has been resolved," according to the Murrieta Police Department.

The agency said it will be "extra vigilant" this week with additional staffing at Warm Springs Middle School and other Murrieta schools "as necessary."