8th Grader Arrested For Allegedly Threatening Long Beach School

LONG BEACH, CA – An eighth-grader at a Long Beach kindergarten through eighth grade school was arrested Thursday for allegedly threatening school officials, the third time in as many days that a student was arrested for making threats at a city school.

The 14-year-old, whose name was withheld because of his age, was arrested about noon after officers were dispatched to Tincher Preparatory School at 1701 Petaluma Ave., to assist a public safety officer who had detained the student, according to Long Beach police.

"The student had made the threat in the past week," according to a police statement. "Today a staff member overheard students talking about the threat and reported it to the Long Beach Police Department."

A day earlier, a freshman at Millikan High School in Long Beach who was allegedly overheard making a threat was arrested, police said.

Staff advised the school's resource officer about 11:15 a.m. Wednesday of the 15-year-old's threat, according to Long Beach police Sgt. Brad Johnson.

"Students remained safe the entire time, but the threat was overheard by classmates, who informed staff," Johnson said, adding that the threat was investigated and the student arrested.

Security had already been beefed up at various high school campuses in Long Beach on Wednesday in the wake of social media rumors of a possible shooting at "Poly High School," that may or may not have been a reference to Long Beach Polytechnic High School, authorities said.

Johnson said the Millikan High School threat "was independent of the unsubstantiated Poly threat," which was found to be not credible.

"There is no information that the two are related at this time," he said.

"Detectives started investigating the (Poly) matter right away and worked through the night. The preliminary investigation found no credible threat to Long Beach Poly High School," according to the LBPD.

"The police department is working closely with LBUSD, and there will be increased police presence on Long Beach high school campuses, to ensure that students feel safe in their educational environment."

Early Wednesday morning, LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser sent a message to the school community.

"We have been alerted to unsubstantiated social media rumors that a possible shooting was planned to occur at Poly High School. While these rumors are unsubstantiated, we take them seriously and are working with law enforcement to actively investigate," Steinhauser wrote.

"You will see additional law enforcement presence at the school today. We appreciate those who alerted us. Your students will be safe and protected at school."

According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, one post on Instagram shared a photo of a headline reporting a school shooting threat against "Long Beach High." However, the article attached to the headline refers to a school in Florida and was posted on Friday, the newspaper reported.

Officers were dispatched to Wilson High School, 4400 E. 10th St., about 2:30 p.m. Tuesday to assist a public safety officer who detained a student who allegedly made threats to harm others at the school, police said.

The 16-year-old junior was arrested for making criminal threats.

"Making any kind of threat, whether in person or online, is illegal and has serious consequences," Long Beach Police Department Chief Robert Luna said.

All three incidents remain under active investigation and police plan to maintain increased patrols around all city high schools, police said.

"We thank those who came forward with information," Steinhauser said. "Please know that we take all threats seriously, and we continue to work closely with our partners in law enforcement to keep our students safe."

Anyone with information regarding a threat to a school is urged to call police immediately by dialing 911. Information can also be submitted to Violent Crimes detectives at (562) 570-7250. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service; Image via Shutterstock