Twin Peaks Student Allegedly Planned School Shooting

Update 12:25 p.m. Monday: Sheriff Patrols Twin Peaks on Day of Planned School Shooting

A 12-year-old Twin Peaks Middle School student in Poway was arrested Saturday night after allegedly threatening to shoot nearly two dozen students and his teacher during class when school resumes Monday.

The student, a seventh-grader, has been admitted to a local hospital for treatment and evaluation, Capt. Bill Donahue said Sunday during a press conference at the Poway Sheriff's Station. School is scheduled to go on as usual on Monday despite the threat.

There is no evidence that anyone else was involved in the threat and this is considered an isolated situation, he said. Authorities seized five rifles, three shotguns and three handguns—all locked up—from the student's home Saturday night while executing a search warrant, Donahue said.

The student is accused of sending an email to a school administrator Friday night threatening to shoot 23 students and one of his teachers during second period on Monday, which would have been around 9:30 a.m. He allegedly referenced 3,000 rounds of ammunition and named a specific teacher, but not any specific students, Donahue said.

Donahue declined to comment on whether any ammunition was found at the student's home.

[Sign up for free Poway Patch breaking news alerts here.]

The Sheriff's Department learned about the threat Saturday morning and began an investigation with the Poway Criminal Apprehension Team (PCAT) and the Crime High-Tech Response Team (CATCH). Investigators were able to trace the email through the student's Internet service provider due to the seriousness of the threat, Donahue said.

The teacher is not being identified as this time, but is expected to be in class on Monday, Donahue and Poway Unified School District Superintendent John Collins said.

"Obviously, this is saddening and disturbing," Collins said, adding that parents can feel reassured that "the system worked" to avert the threat in time.

The teacher could not think of a reason why the student would threaten him/her, Donahue said.

Armed sheriff's deputies and counselors will be on campus Monday, Collins said. Twin Peaks Principal Kelly Burke sent an email to parents Sunday morning about the threat, saying sixth-grade camp would go on as scheduled this week.

Donahue said officials did not sweep the campus for weapons, but they will be on site Monday for extra security.

The superintendent also said the threat has no connection to a recent death threat another Twin Peaks Middle School student allegedly made to another student.

Poway Mayor Don Higginson and Poway Unified Board President Marc Davis also attended the press conference. 

Check back for updates.

Follow Poway Patch on Facebook and Twitter.