Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder after investigators say they spent months planning to attack Corona High School in Riverside County.
Corona police revealed the plot late Tuesday. It came to light after the FBI flagged social media threats posted by a Corona High School student on Oct. 6 and alerted local police. Detectives then obtained search warrants, examined electronic devices, and searched multiple residences in the area.
That work led them to a second suspect, a 15-year-old attending Norco High School. Investigators say the two girls had researched past school shootings for months to shape their own plan and had discussed how to get weapons. They never managed to obtain any, and none were found during the investigation.
Both girls are now in custody, charged with felony conspiracy to commit murder. An adult convicted on that charge would face 25 years to life in prison. As juveniles, they face a lighter sentence if convicted. Their identities have not been released. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is now reviewing the case.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau’s involvement stopped the plan before it went any further.
“A potential act of targeted violence against a Southern California high school was disrupted before anyone was harmed,” Patel said. “There is no greater priority than protecting our kids, and threats against our schools will be met with the full force of the FBI and our partners.”
The case drew in the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the Corona-Norco Unified School District, and Corona police. Corona High School enrolls more than 2,000 students across grades 9 through 12. Corona sits about 47 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
Corona police urged residents to keep reporting anything suspicious.
“The Corona Police Department remains committed to working collaboratively with our law-enforcement partners, school officials, parents, and the community to ensure the safety and security of all students and residents. Parents and students are reminded to immediately report anything they see or hear that could be concerning, as awareness plays a vital role in keeping everyone safe,” the department said in a statement.
The arrests come just days after a 16-year-old gunman killed three children and a teacher at an Oregon elementary school he had once attended before being shot dead by police at the scene.
