Community
Update on the Kenilworth Jr High School Investigation
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release Thursday April, 4th, 2024
Issued By:
Sergeant Paul Gilman, Petaluma PD, 707.778.4372, email: [email protected]
Incident: Update on Investigation at Kenilworth Jr High School
Report Number: 24-1431
Occurred Date: 4/4/2024
Location: Kenilworth Jr High School
Incident Summary
On 4/3/2024, Officers from Petaluma Police responded to a report of an “explosion” on the campus of Kenilworth Junior High School. Naturally and understandably this incident scared students, staff, and family. Officers arrived quickly on scene and members of the Petaluma Fire Department began to prepare an appropriate response as determined by the events reported by officers on campus.
It was quickly determined that the reported “explosion” was a commercial grade explosive device, similar to an M-1000, detonated in a boy’s bathroom near the interior quad of the campus. As students began to run through the campus, they were redirected by alert staff to an area on the black top to the rear of the school to be able to quickly conduct a head count and determine if there were any children that were either unaccounted for or needing assistance.
Through the cooperation of the school and the responding public safety, we learned of the identity of students involved in the incident. After the campus was declared safe for students and staff, students were sent back to the classrooms for an official accounting of all students still on campus.
After school hours, both students who had been identified were contacted and arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident. The investigation is ongoing as the Petaluma Police Department attempts to identify other students who may have been involved in this incident.
As a result of the incident yesterday, there is an understandable uneasiness and there appears to be a large number of unsubstantiated rumors circulating in social groups and reported through the use of an anonymous online application that contain vague but troubling information. Since noon today, we have received more than 20 such reports with varying levels of information, but none of these allegations have been substantiated or otherwise validated at this time.
As of Thursday evening, investigators have not found any evidence that leads us to believe these are or were credible threats.
Regardless, the Petaluma Police Department and Petaluma City Schools take all threats seriously. We recognize the fear this has created, and we condemn this type of behavior and the perpetrator(s) for making anybody feel unsafe in what is meant to be a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. This investigation is ongoing and if any additional perpetrator(s) are identified, they will be held accountable.
Investigators are asking for help from anyone with information, especially students, to come forward to the Petaluma Police Department or a member of the school faculty. Anyone with information can call the Police Department at (707) 778-4373.
Any student with knowledge about this incident is encouraged to contact the Petaluma Police Department or a member of the Kenilworth Jr High School faculty to provide the information. Contact information for the Petaluma Police Department can be made anonymously at [email protected] or by calling (707) 778-4372.
Update on the Kenilworth Jr High School Investigation 
|
PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate Release Thursday April, 4th, 2024
Issued By:
Sergeant Paul Gilman, Petaluma PD, 707.778.4372, email: [email protected]
Incident: Update on Investigation at Kenilworth Jr High School
Report Number: 24-1431
Occurred Date: 4/4/2024
Location: Kenilworth Jr High School
Incident Summary
On 4/3/2024, Officers from Petaluma Police responded to a report of an “explosion” on the campus of Kenilworth Junior High School. Naturally and understandably this incident scared students, staff, and family. Officers arrived quickly on scene and members of the Petaluma Fire Department began to prepare an appropriate response as determined by the events reported by officers on campus.
It was quickly determined that the reported “explosion” was a commercial grade explosive device, similar to an M-1000, detonated in a boy’s bathroom near the interior quad of the campus. As students began to run through the campus, they were redirected by alert staff to an area on the black top to the rear of the school to be able to quickly conduct a head count and determine if there were any children that were either unaccounted for or needing assistance.
Through the cooperation of the school and the responding public safety, we learned of the identity of students involved in the incident. After the campus was declared safe for students and staff, students were sent back to the classrooms for an official accounting of all students still on campus.
After school hours, both students who had been identified were contacted and arrested for their alleged involvement in the incident. The investigation is ongoing as the Petaluma Police Department attempts to identify other students who may have been involved in this incident.
As a result of the incident yesterday, there is an understandable uneasiness and there appears to be a large number of unsubstantiated rumors circulating in social groups and reported through the use of an anonymous online application that contain vague but troubling information. Since noon today, we have received more than 20 such reports with varying levels of information, but none of these allegations have been substantiated or otherwise validated at this time.
As of Thursday evening, investigators have not found any evidence that leads us to believe these are or were credible threats.
Regardless, the Petaluma Police Department and Petaluma City Schools take all threats seriously. We recognize the fear this has created, and we condemn this type of behavior and the perpetrator(s) for making anybody feel unsafe in what is meant to be a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. This investigation is ongoing and if any additional perpetrator(s) are identified, they will be held accountable.
Investigators are asking for help from anyone with information, especially students, to come forward to the Petaluma Police Department or a member of the school faculty. Anyone with information can call the Police Department at (707) 778-4373.
Any student with knowledge about this incident is encouraged to contact the Petaluma Police Department or a member of the Kenilworth Jr High School faculty to provide the information. Contact information for the Petaluma Police Department can be made anonymously at [email protected] or by calling (707) 778-4372.
Address/Location
Petaluma Police Department
969 Petaluma Blvd N
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-778-4372