Two 15-year-old girls have been arrested and charged with felony conspiracy to commit murder after Corona police said the pair plotted to carry out a shooting at Corona High School.
Corona police revealed the arrests late Tuesday. The case began Oct. 6, when the FBI discovered social media threats posted by a 15-year-old Corona High School student and alerted local police.
Investigators executed search warrants, examined electronic devices and searched several residences in the area. That work led them to a second 15-year-old girl, a student at Norco High School, who was also allegedly involved in the plan.
According to police, the two girls had spent months researching past school shootings as they developed a plan targeting Corona High School. Both discussed how they might obtain weapons, but officials said they never succeeded. No weapons were recovered during the investigation.
Both teens are now in custody facing felony conspiracy to commit murder charges. Prosecutors have not said whether they will seek to try the girls as adults, which would carry a potential sentence of 25 years to life. As juveniles, they would likely face a lesser penalty if convicted. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case. The identities of the two girls have not been released.
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the case in a statement to ABC, saying “a potential act of targeted violence against a Southern California high school was disrupted before anyone was harmed.”
“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,” Patel said.
The investigation drew on multiple agencies, including the FBI, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, the Corona-Norco Unified School District and the Corona Police Department.
In a statement, Corona police urged residents to stay alert and report 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.
Corona High School enrolls more than 2,000 students in grades 9 through 12. Corona sits in Riverside County, roughly 47 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
The arrests come just days after a 16-year-old opened fire at an elementary school in Oregon, killing three children and a teacher before police shot and killed him at the scene. The shooter had previously attended that school.
