Student Arrested Following Gun Violence Threat At School: Police

FREMONT, CA — A Fremont teen was arrested Wednesday for threatening to shoot an employee of American High School and for threatening gun violence at a secondary school, according to Fremont police.

"The student was arrested and booked at juvenile hall for felony terrorist threats and a hate crime," police said in a message to the community. "A search warrant was served at the student’s home, where numerous pieces of evidence were recovered."

The arrest came just one day after a school shooting in Texas left at least 19 students and two teachers dead.

Employees from the high school contacted police at 9:45 a.m. to report threats made on social media. "The investigation revealed that the student threatened gun violence towards a school employee and also contained numerous racial epithets," police said. School resource officers "immediately began an investigation into this matter while working closely with the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD)."

The student and his parents were contacted by officers away from the school, police said, and the student was arrested. The 17-year-old boy's name has not been released.

Police searched the student’s home but said no guns were recovered.

"While numerous subjects were involved in this conversation, the student who was arrested made direct threats of gun violence towards the school employee," police said. "The student also made comments about committing additional gun violence at an unnamed secondary school. At this time, we believe that only the arrested student had made any threats of gun violence."

The others "involved in the conversation" have been identified, and the school district is dealing with them.

“I was contacted by field personnel who were actively investigating this incident," Fremont Police Chief Sean Washington said in a statement. "SROs were on-scene and gathering additional facts which later confirmed that the incident was a direct threat to a school employee and also a hate crime. I am extremely proud of the SRO’s and detectives who took immediate action upon receiving this information. I am also thankful for the community members and parents who came forward, as well as the students who notified their parents of the concerning messages. The Fremont Police Department is committed to the safety of our community and schools. Considering recent events, I want to ensure the public that school safety is our top priority. I have directed additional patrol checks towards all school campuses, including resources from specialized units.”

The name of the intended victim will not be released, authorities said.

The case remains under investigation. People are asked to contact SRO Sgt. Calvin Tang at 510-790-6743 or via email ctang@fremont.gov with tips.

Text tips may be sent by typing TIP FREMONTPD followed by your short message to 888777.

Related:

• Fremont Police Increase Patrols In Aftermath Of Texas School Shooting
• 'Enough!' Warriors Coach Steve Kerr Gives Impassioned Plea On Shooting
• Texas Shooting Prompts CA Senate To Pass Bill Targeting Assault Guns
• Texas School Shooting: Gunman Killed 19 Kids, 2 Teachers In Same Class