Full Notification

Date:               Dec. 8^th, 2021 / 3:00 PM
 
Incident:         School Threats Investigated  
                                   
Location:        1640 S. Lilac Ave. Bloomington, CA. 92316 (Joe Baca Middle School)
 
Case:               #932111903
 
Involved Party: 7^th Grade Student
 
Synopsis:
                                              
On Thursday, Dec. 2nd at 1:04 PM, the Rialto Police Department received a non-emergency call regarding a 7^th-grade student at Joe Baca Middle School. While the school’s address is listed in Bloomington, the campus is within the Rialto Police Department’s jurisdiction.
 
A patrol officer responded and interviewed a school-aged witness, who thought a 7th-grade student had access to a gun. The officer’s investigation spanned into the next day, where additional students, witnesses, staff, and district personnel from the Colton Unified School District were interviewed. During interviews, all alleged threats were deemed unsubstantiated and were based on rumors from students. Officers contacted the 7th-grade student’s parents, who were cooperative and as a precaution allowed officers to search their home. Officers determined the parents did not own firearms, nor did they have any in their home. Officers confirmed there were no firearms or other types of weapons in the home. The Rialto Police Department continued investigating the incident into the next day.
 
At the conclusion of the investigation, it was determined the allegations about the 7^th-grade student making threats were false. Officers determined a group of students at the school were spreading rumors on social media, which generated confusion and safety concerns. The Rialto Police Department continues working with the staff at Joe Baca Middle School. The school staff is addressing the incident administratively. The Rialto Police Department, in joint cooperation with the Colton Unified School District, encourage parents and students to dismiss these rumors. However, students and staff are also encouraged to report any future suspicious activity to school administrators and law enforcement to be investigated. ​
 
Suspicious activity can be reported anonymously through our We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or at www.wetip.com.
 
 
Community Outreach Specialist Natalie Aguirre
Rialto Police Department
Community Service Bureau
[email protected]
(909) 644-0651