Student Accused In Bomb Threat At Petaluma Junior High School

PETALUMA, CA — A student at Petaluma Junior High School was arrested Friday in connection with a bomb threat made against the school, police said.

The 13-year-old student, who is accused of making the threat using an anonymous cell phone app, was cited and released to a parent.

"Besides the criminal violation, the department will be considering cost recovery for the response and investigation by all the emergency resources," Petaluma police said in a news release.

The Petaluma Police Department was notified shortly before 10 a.m. Friday about a possible threat against the junior high school at 700 Bantam Way.

Simultaneously, district officials with Petaluma City Schools also contacted the PD about the same possible threat.

"The threat was made using an anonymous app and the provider contacted the police department," police said. "The mobile app from STOPit is used to report safety and misconduct at participating organizations."

Officers helped school faculty evacuate students and staff to a safe place on school grounds.

Two California Highway Patrol bomb detection K-9 teams helped officers search the school but when no devices were found, students and staff returned to back to their classes.

"The incident is actively being investigated at this time," police said. "A similar incident occurred at Casa Grande High School in September, using the same App, but it appears the incidents are unrelated."

Police asked anyone with further information about the case to please contact the Petaluma Police Department at Officer Clint Kepley 707-778-4372.