Teen Arrested, Allegedly Threatens To Bomb, Shoot Up Monterey Co. Schools

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA – A teenage boy was arrested for allegedly making threats to carry out bombings and shootings at Monterey County schools on Facebook this morning, Salinas police said.

The unidentified 17-year-old suspect, a Greenfield resident, admitted that the threats were a hoax and wrote the messages as a joke, police said.

Salinas police officers were notified of a Facebook post that stated county schools will be bombed and the author of the message was prepared, according to police.

The posts were on an account with a profile picture of a "scary, maniacal looking clown," police said.

Another Facebook post from the same user disclosed their intent to shoot at schools from Salinas to King City, according to police.

Investigators looking into the warnings led them to a Greenfield home where city police officers spoke with the 17-year-old boy and his parents, police said.

The officers were allowed to search the residence, where they didn't locate any weapons or explosive materials, according to police.

The teen was placed in custody and interviewed at the Greenfield Police Department, where they learned the Facebook posts came from his cellphone, which was confiscated as evidence, police said.

The boy is expected to be booked into Monterey County Juvenile Hall on suspicion of threat-related felony crimes, police said.

Officers don't believe the threats had merit and there is no posed danger to county schools, according to police.

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--Bay City News/File photo