SoCal School Shooting Thwarted, Student Arrested: Police

ONTARIO, CA — An 18-year-old high school student was arrested over the weekend in connection with a plot to shoot up Ontario Christian High School, according to the Ontario Police Department and the San Bernardino District Attorney's Office.

Sebastian Villasenor, 18, of Eastvale, was arrested at his home on suspicion of making threats with intent to terrorize and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the plot, which was revealed by a concerned classmate, according to officials. According to authorities, Villasenor was targeting specific students — four girls and a boy.

Villasenor is being held without bail at the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department West Valley Detention Center, and his arraignment was scheduled for Thursday morning.

According to the DA, authorities were alerted to the potential threat on Feb. 8 when a student reported Villasenor's plan to the high school principal, who then alerted police. The Ontario Police Department initiated a thorough investigation, finding that Villasenor's plan to initiate an active shooter attack at the high school was credible, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office. Four girls, identified only as "Jane Doe 1-4," and one boy, identified only as "John Doe," were identified in the complaint against him.

Arresting officers and investigators searched Villasenor's home and found numerous weapons, including seven rifles, two revolvers, and a handgun, all registered in the name of his parents, KTLA reported. Over 1,000 rounds of ammunition were also found, the report said, adding that the parents were cooperating with police during the investigation into their son.

Ontario Police Chief Michael Lorenz, in a Wednesday press conference, said Villasenor was "fixated" on school shootings.

"During our investigation, we learned that Villasenor was obsessed with school shootings and police response times. He researched tactical supplies and was in the process of choosing a specific date to carry out the shooting."

According to officials, Villasenoalso focused on the Columbine High School Shooting in 1999 and was "considering that date" — April 20 — for the attack, as this year was the 25th anniversary of that attack at the Littleton, Colorado high school.

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's office lauded the swift action of both the principal and the Ontario Police Department in identifying the credible threat against the school.

"Thanks to the swift and thorough response of the Ontario Police Department and the bravery of the student who voiced concerns, tragedy was avoided, and potentially lives were saved," he said. "Our Office wants to remind everyone in our communities across San Bernardino County that active shooter threats are always considered serious, and if you see something, say something.

"We are grateful for the student who was brave enough to say something when they saw something that was off."