Additional arrests made in Pixley threats case
Two 13-year-old girls taken into custody
Two 13-year-old girls were arrested Thursday morning in Pixley after the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip alleging more students were involved in the Feb. 15 shooting threats incident.
Two 13-year-old girls were arrested Thursday morning in Pixley after the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office received an anonymous tip alleging more students were involved in the Feb. 15 shooting threats incident.
TCSO received the information Thursday through Tipnow, which indicated several students at Pixley Middle School may be involved in a recent terrorist threats investigation that took place last week, TCSO reported. Based on the information, detectives responded to the school and contacted the involved parties who were minors.
On Feb. 15, a 13-yearold boy who attends Pixley Middle School was arrested by TCSO deputies on suspicion of making terrorist threats. He allegedly threatened to “shoot up the school” in an online post. During a search of his home, a handgun and four rifles were found.
On Thursday, detectives interviewed two girls and confirmed they were part of the crime. Their parents were notified and they have been cooperative with detectives, TCSO reported
Subsequently, two search warrants were executed in the Pixley area. Detectives seized one firearm, assorted ammunition and several gun magazines during the course of those searches. The seized gun was voluntarily given to detectives by a family relative. The firearm was only taken for safekeeping at this time, TCSO reported.
The two teenagers were arrested and booked at the Juvenile Detention Facility in Visalia on suspicion of making terrorist threats.
The arrests come on the heels of 17 people being killed by a teenage gunman at a high school in Parkland, Fla.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at 1-800-808-0488 or anonymously at tcso@ tipnow.com or by text or voicemail at 725-4194.