CLEARLAKE, Calif. – One Lower Lake High School student has been arrested and three others remain under investigation in a case involving threats made with a handgun over Snapchat.
Due to the fact this investigation involves juveniles, their names will not be released, according to Det. Ryan Peterson.
On Wednesday at approximately 9:40 a.m. Clearlake Police Department School Resource Officer Stephanie Green was contacted by Lower Lake High School administration for a report of two students making threats to hurt each other, Peterson said.
Peterson said the school’s administration advised Officer Green that two 14-year-old male students were threatening to fight each other over the social media app Snapchat.
One of the students was viewed by the other holding a handgun while making the threats during the Snapchat conversation. The student displaying the handgun had been suspended from school and was not attending during this time, Peterson said.
Officer Green contacted both students, with their parents, at the school. Peterson said Green interviewed both students, who admitted to threatening each other and arranging to fight when the suspended student returned to school, which was scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
Through the investigation and interviews, Peterson said the suspended student admitted to having the handgun and displaying it during the Snapchat conversation. The student also stated that he had received the handgun from two other male Lower Lake High School students aged 15 and 16.
Peterson said that the suspended student advised that the 15- and 16-year-old students had transported the handgun in their backpack and had given it to him to hold.
The suspended student admitted the handgun was currently located at his residence and his parent gave consent for officers to go to their residence to recover the firearm, Peterson said.
Officer Green and Officer Jared Nixon responded to the residence and recovered the firearm, which Peterson said was found to be a loaded .45-caliber handgun. A records check of the serial number from the firearm was conducted which revealed it was an unregistered firearm.
Based on the investigation, Peterson said the suspended student was placed under arrest for the felony violations of criminal threats and minor in possession of a firearm. He was transferred to the Lake County Probation Department and subsequently booked into the Tehama County Juvenile Detention Facility.
On Thursday, the 15- and 16-year-old students were contacted and interviewed by Officer Green, and Peterson said both students denied any involvement in this investigation or knowing the suspended student.
Peterson said this case is continued to be investigated by Officer Green and being forwarded to the Lake County Probation Department for review and additional charges.
The two 14-year-olds have been suspended from school based on the investigation. Peterson said disciplinary action and criminal charging for the two older students are pending further investigation from Officer Green and Lower Lake High School administration.
The Clearlake Police Department stressed the importance for people to speak up when these types of incidents or suspicions of weapons and threats to students, school staff and facilities are made.
Peterson said the Clearlake Police Department and Konocti Unified School District will continue to work diligently to maintain a safe learning environment for youth and will fully investigate any threats to students, school staff and facilities.
Anyone with information in regard to this investigation or any threats made to students or schools are asked to contact the Clearlake Police Department or Officer Green at 707-994-8251, Extension 517.
Police investigate case involving high schooler threatening another student with handgun
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