Two 15-year-old girls arrested in alleged California high school massacre plot
Investigators uncovered months of online discussions and research into previous school shootings.
Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested in Riverside County, California, on suspicion of plotting a massacre at Corona High School. Police were alerted to the threat on October 6 by the FBI, who had identified disturbing online communications targeting the school.
Investigators allege the teenagers spent several months researching past school shootings and discussing plans to carry out an attack. The investigation involved executing search warrants, examining electronic devices and communications, and searching multiple homes.
One of the suspects is a student at Corona High School, while the other attends nearby Norco High School. Both are currently in custody on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder. Authorities stated that while the girls discussed obtaining weapons, they had not acquired any.
The case highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in identifying potential threats originating from online communications. The specific motives behind the alleged plot, any identified victims, or the intended timeline for the attack have not been disclosed.
The investigation is ongoing, with the FBI, Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the Corona-Norco Unified School District, and Corona police collaborating. The fact that both alleged perpetrators are girls is an unusual aspect of this case, as research indicates female perpetrators are rare in school shooting incidents.