Two Ventura High School students were arrested and charged with felonies after calling in a fake bomb threat that forced a lockdown of their school.
The teen suspects were only identified as two 15-year-old boys due to their juvenile status, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said.
On May 2, at 12:38 p.m., school staff received a threatening phone call saying someone was on campus with a bomb and intended to commit a shooting.
School officials immediately called law enforcement and the campus was placed on lockdown. All students and staff were ordered to shelter in place.
At one point, Sky5 footage showed students being evacuated from buildings and escorted to the school parking lot.
Ventura Police responded to the scene and began investigating. The two 15-year-olds were later identified as the suspected callers. They were found and taken into custody.
Both teens were charged with malicious informing of a false bomb, conspiracy to commit a crime, and criminal threats
A juvenile petition was filed against each suspect by the Ventura County DA’s Office on May 5. Both appeared in juvenile court on Wednesday.
One suspect’s arraignment was continued to May 21. The other suspect denied all charges and a contest is scheduled for May 27 in juvenile court. Both remain in custody at the Juvenile Justice Center in Oxnard.
“All threats to commit violence on our school campuses will be treated seriously,” said Juvenile Unit Supervisor Maureen Byrne. “The bomb and shooting threat made towards Ventura High School’s campus caused students and staff to fear for their safety. Our office is committed to ensuring that school campuses are safe for students.”
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