College of the Canyons threat case tossed out

The case against a college student who allegedly threatened to kill two other students and then himself in March has been thrown out by prosecutors for lack of evidence.

College of the Canyons student Noe Martinez, 19, of Palmdale, was arrested in March by deputies of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station on suspicion of terrorizing and causing fear, arrest documents show.

Late last month, prosecutors with the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office declined to pursue the case due to the lack of evidence, a spokesman for the DA’s office said.

“The case was declined on Sept. 22 due to insufficient evidence,” spokesman Ricardo Santiago told The Signal.

Deputies made the arrest after investigating reports of a student making threats against other students, college spokesman Eric Harnish said in March.

The suspected student allegedly told two other students he planned to shoot them and then kill himself.

They in turn reported the incident to an instructor who called officials assigned to Campus Safety.

COC officials then contacted sheriff’s deputies and coordinated efforts to locate the suspect.

Martinez was arrested inside a COC classroom during class and led out of the room by deputies who detained him.

Harnish confirmed in March that Martinez would not be permitted to return to the campus pending the outcome of a disciplinary review.

College officials could not be reached to confirm whether or not Noe was allowed back on campus.