Snapchat School 'Threat' Lands North Bay Teen Behind Bars: Cops

ROHNERT PARK, CA – The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety arrested a 17-year old Rancho Cotate High School student for allegedly posting a school threat on the social-media app Snapchat, that seemingly depicted a rifle, with a caption reading: “Don’t go to school tomorrow,” according to authorities.

The post depicted what appeared to be an assault rifle on someone's lap, Rohnert Park Deputy Chief Aaron Johnson said Monday.

A Snapchat investigator monitoring the website notified the FBI within hours of the Sunday post, which led to the identification of an IP address ... which led to an address in Rohnert Park, as well as information for the "responsible Snapchat account" -- allegedly the 17-year-old student, Rohnert Park police said.

After a warrant-search was granted for the home, investigators contacted the teen, but turned up no weapon. However, the boy reportedly told authorities the gun was an “'airsoft,' made to look like a real gun and belonged to a friend," police said.

The “friend” swiftly was identified as a 16-year-old Rancho Cotate High School student, officials said.

The teen who posted the photo of the gun said he was "joking around" and did not think it would be a big deal, Johnson said. He was arrested and booked in Sonoma County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of criminal threats.

The 16-year-old boy said he was not aware the 17-year-old was going to photograph the airsoft rifle. The gun was confiscated, and both boys cooperated with the investigation, Johnson said.

Johnson said if the posting had not been intercepted, it could have caused undue fear to school campuses in Rohnert Park.

The rifle was an “airsoft” gun, however, looked like a real firearm, police said, adding that the gun was confiscated as evidence.

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--Bay City News contributed to this report