Potential danger and damage were construed from the social media posts of three high school students in Mountain View. The three have been arrested after the threats were posted, which were said to be directed to their co-students and their teachers.
Police officials said in a statement that on Sunday evening, they learned about the threats that were posted on a social media platform, but it was not clear which of the social media sites was involved. Police said that the posts referenced potential harm to the other students and the staff at Mountain View High School. All of the three high school students were detained and interviewed before being arrested on Monday.
The three students are now in custody over suspicion of making threats and conspiracy to commit a crime. They are reportedly all juveniles that is why their identities, gender or ages have not been released by police, the Mercury News reported.
NBC Bay Area also reported that the officials have cleared the social media threats were not related to the "creepy clown" hoax that has been spreading in different states throughout the United States. Police spokeswoman Katie Nelson said that the posts were suggesting potential harm or danger and that the situation was alarming that is why they talked to the students and took them into custody.
Officials also did not give details regarding the nature of the threats and if any of the students could possibly carry out the threats. Nelson pointed out, "Regardless of whether the threats were real, they were made, we take them seriously. They should know better, and they are paying the consequences."
Thanks to the Mountain View police officials who were deployed on campus on Monday to ensure that students are protected in case the threat was real and will push through. The heavy presence of officials in the high school was a form of precautionary measure.
Anyone who has information regarding the matter is urged to call Sgt. Ken Leal at 650-903-6344.
