Slater Middle School student arrested after joking about campus shootings, according to Santa Rosa police report

A student at Slater Middle School in Santa Rosa was arrested Thursday after police overheard him threatening to shoot at his school and a friend's school.

The remarks, made by the 14-year-old boy while sitting on a city bus, were overheard by another passenger and forwarded to authorities along with a photograph of the student, sparking an investigation, according to Santa Rosa police.

The student also made comments about possessing a large quantity of illegal drugs, police said.

At approximately 7:45 a.m., an officer was dispatched to Slater Middle School, where the student was identified by school officials and taken in for questioning.

When the boy's belongings were searched, a carpet knife was found in his bag, police said. No other weapons or drugs were found, police said.

Officers also searched the boy's home.

During their investigation, police determined that the boy made his comments “in jest with friends” and “had no real intention of bringing a firearm to school,” the department said.

The boy was arrested on suspicion of possession of a cutting instrument on school premises and handed over to his mother.

“We urge parents to speak openly with their children about the consequences of threats,” police said in a press release. Such behavior, whether in person or online, could violate school rules and constitute a criminal offense, authorities said.

“Students who are found to be making threats face disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, as well as possible legal consequences that may affect their future,” the police department said.

The arrest comes against a backdrop of disturbing violence in schools and threats of violence across the country and locally.

In a letter to parents, Santa Rosa City Schools Superintendent Daisy Morales called the reported threats “disturbing” and urged parents and students to report any threats they learn of by contacting them or using the anonymous STOPit app.

“Even if made in jest, threats against schools can result in significant consequences, including suspension, expulsion and even legal action,” Morales said in the letter. “Our school district, in cooperation with local law enforcement, takes every statement seriously because we cannot afford to assume otherwise.”

Contact staff writer Anna Armstrong at 707-521-5255 or [email protected].