CORONA, CA — As the investigation continues into a plot to carry out a shooting at a Riverside County high school, police have revealed the teen girls accused of planning the violent attack had a list with people's names on it, authorities said.
The investigation began Oct. 6 when the FBI notified the Corona Police Department that it had identified social media communications indicating a possible threat against Corona High School, police said.
A collaborative investigation led to the immediate arrest of a 15-year-old student at the school. Detectives later identified a second suspect, also 15, who attends Norco High School, according to police.
Investigators served multiple search warrants for electronic devices and communications and searched several Riverside County residences, police said.
Evidence gathered during the investigation indicated that the two teens had spent several months researching school shootings and discussing how they could carry out a potential attack at Corona High School on an unspecified future date, authorities said.
The suspects also discussed ways to obtain weapons but had not yet succeeded in doing so, police said. No weapons were found during searches of the residences.
RELATED: 2 RivCo Girls' School Shooting Terror Plot Was 'Revenge-Based': Police
Lt. Robert Montanez of Corona PD told KTLA the planned attack was part of a revenge plot that had "spanned several months" but he did not disclose specific details about the ongoing investigation.
"I can't really speak to what was in these girls' minds. But yes, there was a list with individuals' names on it, but their target was clearly the school campus," Montanez told KABC.
Both girls remain in custody on charges of conspiracy to commit murder. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office is reviewing the case, police said.
Riverside County DA spokesperson Molly Smith told KTLA on Wednesday the girls' identities have not been released because they are minors.
FBI Director Kash Patel praised investigators in a social media post Wednesday, crediting the FBI's Los Angeles office and Corona police with disrupting the alleged plot before anyone was harmed.
"Protecting our kids is NON-NEGOTIABLE," Patel wrote, adding that two people were in custody and the investigation remained ongoing.
The investigation was being conducted in partnership with the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff's Office and the Corona-Norco Unified School District, according to police.
Authorities urged parents, students and community members to report any concerning behavior or information that could help prevent threats to school safety.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact Corona police Detective Edwards at George.Edwards@CoronaCA.gov or 951-279-3656.
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