Napa Student Suspected Of Plotting Mass Shooting At 2 Schools

Maggie Avants
The 14-year-old was arrested after a fellow student went to police. Authorities are calling it a possible tragedy averted.

NAPA, CA — A 14-year-old Napa boy has been arrested on suspicion of dissuading a witness and making criminal threats after allegedly threatening to plan a school shooting at two campuses in the Napa Valley Unified School District, according to police.

The suspect — who wasn't identified due to his age — allegedly told a fellow student at River Middle School that he was possibly planning a shooting at their campus and also at Vintage High School, Napa police Sgt. Amy Hunter said Monday night in a news release.

According to Hunter, the fellow student said he was going to report this to his parents and police, at which point the suspect allegedly threatened to kill the victim if he told on him.

Police said the victim contacted police Monday, Dec. 31 and provided investigators with evidence of the threats.

Napa PD investigators and school resource officers in turn served search warrants Wednesday, Jan. 2 at the suspect's residences in Napa.

"Further evidence related to the planning and research of a mass shooting incident was located at both locations," Hunter said.

The suspect student was arrested and has remained in custody since that time for the threats he allegedly made against his fellow student, the sergeant said Monday night, Jan. 7.

Police are hailing the victim a hero and do not believe there are any current threats to any campuses or students in the Napa Valley Unified School District.

"We want to praise the victim for coming forward and talking to their parents and the police," Hunter said. "We believe based on the information collected at this point, this was possibly a tragedy averted and are thankful for the information provided to us."

The incident, which happened during the school district's winter break with no school in session, remains under active investigation. Numerous other students and witnesses have been interviewed, Hunter said.

Anyone with any further information on the case is asked to call Napa police Det. Jason Barrera at 707-258-7880 ext. 5325 or to email him at jbarrera@cityofnapa.org.

Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

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