Boy, 15, jailed in threat to school

A 15-year-old former student was arrested Tuesday after allegedly tweeting that Chino High School “needs a good shooting” and suggesting that he would repeat the Columbine massacre, according to authorities.

The teen posted two messages about 2:30 p.m. on Twitter, saying, “Im recreating Columbine!” and “Chino needs a good shooting,” said Bob Dowling, president of the Tactical Institute, a Washington, D.C., organization that monitors social media for threatening statements and notifies law enforcement and other groups and institutions.

After spotting the threats, his group notified Chino High officials, who called police.

The Chino Police Department identified the teen as an Ontario boy who had been expelled from the high school, said Tamrin Olden, a department spokeswoman. He was arrested at his home on suspicion of making criminal threats and taken to the San Bernardino County Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center. His identity was not released because he is a minor.

Police who searched the boy’s home did not find any weapons, she said.

“We don’t believe there are any additional threats to the students and staff at Chino High,” she said.

According to police, the threat was made after classes had ended.

Nevertheless, police remained on high alert after learning about the tweets, Olden said.

On April 20, 1999, two heavily armed teens killed 12 students and a teacher and wounded 24 other students at Columbine High School outside Denver. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold then killed themselves.

In a statement sent to parents, the Chino Valley Unified School District said classes would be in session Wednesday and Thursday. Spring break starts Friday.

“We are grateful that someone saw something and said something,” the district said.