Police Detain Two, Seize Computers In Connection With Santa Cruz High Shooting Threat

Police in Santa Cruz detained two persons of interest Thursday night in connection with an email threatening a mass shooting that was sent Tuesday to the principal of Santa Cruz High School, officials announced today.

Detectives were prepared to serve a search warrant at the home of the two people, who are not being identified, but the pair cooperated and permitted police to seize computer equipment for examination, police Deputy Chief Steve Clark said in a prepared statement.

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The persons have also shared information about potential suspects in the threatening email and those they believe have relevant knowledge about technology involved in sending the message, according to Clark.

The email, received at 8:45 p.m. Tuesday by the high school’s principal, threatened a mass shooting directed at students and staff at the school campus, police said.

The principal immediately called Clark at home and police and school district officials agreed to close the high school on Wednesday out of caution while police conducted an investigation.

After meeting with parents and determining the likelihood of the threat had abated, police and school officials decided to reopen the school on Thursday.

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In his online statement Friday, Clark said police could not confirm claims that a Santa Cruz newspaper had conversations by email and on Twitter with the person suspected of sending the threatening email to the high school principal.

Copycats or friends of the suspect could be attempting to compromise the investigation, according to Clark.

The Police Department also is unable to confirm whether the actual suspect is a student or if the suspect attended school after it reopened yesterday with an added police presence on campus, he said.

Detectives are still using computer software to decipher the encrypted email sent to the principal and are actively pursuing tips and leads about possible suspects, he said.

--Bay City News