Chula Vista middle school student arrested in connection with threatening messages – NBC 7 San Diego

A 12-year-old student at Bonita Vista Middle School was arrested Tuesday in connection with sending threatening messages, Chula Vista police said.

The threat spread quickly on social media, sparking fear and anxiety on several school campuses in the Sweetwater Union High School District. Classrooms in the school district were nearly empty as some parents decided to keep their children home.

Many parents and students still wonder why they did not receive more information sooner.

“My son told us about the day when a lot of parents came and picked up their children,” said Alex Diaz, the father. “If more information was given out, maybe parents wouldn't be so concerned and would see the need to do this.”

Chula Vista police say this situation began on Saturday. Initially, the investigation followed a student who told police another student sent them a message saying they were going to shoot at Bonita Vista Middle School on Tuesday.

The news also spread to other school campuses, such as Rancho del Rey Middle School. In a message sent to parents, staff and students around 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Ulisses Hernandez, the principal of Rancho del Rey Middle School, reported the threat against the school, saying in part:

“This morning, at approximately 6 a.m., community members notified administration of a concern circulating on social media regarding a school threat to Rancho del Rey. Administration contacted the school as quickly as possible and notified CVPD and SUHSD. At exactly 7:38 a.m., I sent out a Jupiter message informing the Rancho community that the threats were not credible. As word finally spread, concerned parents requested that their children leave school for safety reasons. We understand and respect the decisions of parents who picked up their children. Staff worked together to assist parents with their requests. CVPD is investigating the source of the original threat made against multiple schools since yesterday. The threats do not pose an immediate danger to our students and it is safe to continue with the regular school schedule.”

School security officials said they did not believe the threat was credible due to the circumstances and additional context of the message, which they did not elaborate on. Officials were working with school staff to establish security precautions and investigate the incident.

Further investigation revealed that the same student who had made the report to the police had also made the threat. This student was arrested on Tuesday and later handed over to his parents. He was charged with criminal threats and making a false report to the police.

The school also sent a notification to parents, but parents say it didn't come in time. They also say they would like to see more regular safety measures in place, just in case.

“There's an opening on the other side. And there's an opening on the other side,” said Grandfather Harold Watson. “But there's nobody there checking people. There's nobody there with a magic wand checking anyone for anything. You just walk in.”

NBC 7 has reached out to the district to learn more about student attendance over the past two days and also to learn more about the protocol for notifying parents. The station has not received a response.