Two teenage girls are under suspicion for planning an attack at a high school in Southern California, allegedly motivated by revenge.
According to the police in Corona, the 15-year-olds had made “specific plans” for what they referred to as a “revenge-based attack” at Corona High School.
“They were trying to establish clear plans for how they would execute this attack,” noted Lieutenant Robert Montanez from the Corona Police Department. “This wasn’t just idle talk or a passing mention,” he emphasized.
Investigators found that the girls had searched for ways to acquire a firearm, which is concerning given their age. They even talked about hunting licenses and explored options for purchasing guns online or through other channels.
“They were still very much in the planning stages,” Montanez reiterated, stressing that no date had been set for the attack.
The FBI flagged their social media conversations to local law enforcement, leading to one girl’s arrest on October 6 and the other on October 20. Thankfully, police concluded that no attack was imminent despite the girls’ preparations.
FBI Director Kash Patel noted that “a potential act of targeted violence against a Southern California high school was disrupted before anyone was harmed.” He explained that the FBI had pinpointed online discussions about a “planned school attack,” prompting a prompt response to identify those involved and assist local police with the arrests.
Patel also stated, “There is no greater priority than protecting our kids, and threats against our schools will be met with the full force of the FBI and our partners.”
The Riverside District Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing the case but has not filed charges, and they are keeping the identities of the teens confidential. They mentioned that they are governed by a code designed to protect juvenile privacy and facilitate rehabilitation.
Collaboration between the FBI, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, and officials from the Corona-Norco Unified School District, alongside the Corona Police Department, played a crucial role in the investigation. As of now, neither girl has been on campus since the inquiry began on October 6.
The school district expressed appreciation for the prompt actions of local law enforcement throughout the investigation, assuring families that student safety is their top priority. They highlighted the implementation of safety measures and partnerships with police to monitor potential threats.
Currently, school officials have stated there is no ongoing threat to the school, which is a relief for both students and parents.
This plot followed closely behind a tragic incident where a teen carried out a school shooting at an elementary school in Oregon. In that event, 16-year-old Griffin John tragically shot and killed three children and a teacher before being neutralized by a bystander. His motives remain unclear, but his troubling background has drawn attention.
