Student Cited For Threatening To 'Shoot Up' Novato School: Police

NOVATO, CA – A 13-year-old student was cited Monday for threatening to "shoot up" Sinaloa Middle School in Novato, police said.

Several students overheard their classmate on Monday talk about bringing a gun to "shoot up the school," according to the Novato Police Department. Police learned about the threats at 6:25 p.m., after school had already been released for the day and the students involved had gone home.

Patrol officers contacted the students who overheard the threats and corroborated the information provided to school administrators. Detectives also searched the boy's home and found a broken airsoft gun, police said. No other guns or weapons were found.

"He and his family were cooperative with detectives and denied having any intentions to cause harm at the school," police officials said in a press release.

The student was cited for making criminal threats against a school, police said. The case was forwarded to the Marin County District Attorney's Office.

Early Tuesday morning, a citizen reported a gas can on the field at Sinaloa Middle School. Police responded to the scene and confirmed that workers had left the gas can behind the previous day. There was no connection to the original threats, police said.

In an effort to reassure students and parents, police will provide a high visibility presence Tuesday in the area of Sinaloa Middle School.

"We take all threats against students and faculty extremely seriously and is a top priority to the Novato Police Department," police said. "The NPD has well developed plans for responding to incidents taking place at schools and is fully prepared to respond to any situation on campus. We continue to work closely with Novato Unified School District to ensure safety at all NUSD facilities."

Police encouraged students and community members to report suspicious behavior and call the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online at www.novatopolice.org or by text at Tip Novato to 888777.

"The students who came forward to report the threats acted courageously to provide the information to school administrators," officials said. "Campus safety is everyone’s responsibility."

Image via Novato Police Department