According to a Fortuna Police press release, a report of a potential threat to students and school personnel at Fortuna Union High School was reported to Fortuna Police, at approximately noon, Thursday, September 29th. It was reported that several high school students received an air dropped image on their phones from an unknown person, only identified as a skull emoji, during class.
The image was a typed message that read, “Gonna light up the school at 12:10”, and was quickly spread throughout the school via Snapchat.
School lockdown procedures were immediately initiated by Fortuna Union High School as Law enforcement and school staff began to investigate and conduct searches. As a result law enforcement and school staff was able to determine no weapons, dangerous devices or current threat existed on school campus.
Once it was determined safe for students to exit campus, law enforcement and school staff conducted a controlled release of students, building by building, classroom by classroom and the lockdown was released. School Officials elected to release the students for the remainder of the day to allow students reunite with parents following the lockdown.
Fortuna Officers continued the investigation, identifying further threatening messages sent out via Snapchat. Officers quickly identified the 13 year old juvenile responsible for sending the ongoing Snapchat threats. Officers responded to the juveniles’ residence in Rio Dell.
A search warrant executed at the juveniles’ residence and evidence, including a cellular phone, clothing identified in Snapchats and multiple firearms was seized. The juvenile was taken into custody and booked into Humboldt County Juvenile Hall on the charge of Criminal Threats.
