Napa Teen Arrested For Plotting School Shootings
NAPA (CBS SF) -- A 14-year-old Napa middle school student has been taken into custody for allegedly planning a mass shooting at their school and a nearby high school, according to Napa police and school officials.
Investigators said a classmate came forward and revealed the plans and then was threatened by the teen.
"We believe based on the information collected at this point, this was possibly a tragedy averted," Napa police said in a press release.
The incident unfolded while students were on holiday break and involved both River Middle School and Vintage High School. The suspect told a friend of the shooting plans.
The friend told their parents and police on Dec. 31, 2018.
"We want to praise the victim for coming forward and talking to their parents and police," investigators said.
On Jan. 2, armed with a warrant, police searched the teen's home discovering evidence related to "planning and research of a mass shooting."
"There were text messages between the suspect student and other student," said Napa police Capt. Patrick Manzer. "We didn't find any weapons...There was no date when it was supposed to happen. We found nothing to indicate it was imminent."
Manzer said the threat was beyond an ideological threat because of the amount of the teen's research on the Internet.
Police did not reveal the names, ages or genders of the students involved because they are juveniles.
Some parents questioned why the school district did not disclose the alleged mass shooting plan until Tuesday. District schools were closed for winter break between Dec. 17 and Monday.
In response to the parents, Mucetti issued a written statement Tuesday.
"I want to assure you that we have been in constant contact with the Napa Police Department throughout the incident and had there been an active threat that required families to take action, both law enforcement and the district would have been proactive and clear about that," Mucetti said.
"Because of the active investigation, which continued into Monday afternoon, we agreed with law enforcement that it was important not to jeopardize the investigation. We informed our River, Vintage and Harvest Middle School families at our earliest prudent opportunity, given law enforcement realities."
