Full Notification

On Sunday, December 8, 2019, at about 1749 hours, officers from the Santa Maria Police Department were contacted by a concerned citizen regarding a possible threat directed toward school-aged children. The reporting party shared with officers a social media post where a male juvenile held an item in a similar fashion to a rifle while urging people not to attend school the following day. The subject did not reference any specific school.

During the course of the investigation, this department received a phone call from a concerned parent, who advised their child was responsible for the post. Officers contacted the 13 year old juvenile and confirmed he was in fact the one pictured in the social media post.

After speaking to the juvenile and his parents, officers confirmed the item held in the picture was not an actual firearm and the juvenile did not have any intent to harm anyone and/or carry out any acts of violence. It was also determined the juvenile did not have access to firearms.

School administrators have been made aware of this incident.

Prepared by: Lt. Terry Flaa