Threat at charter school

Riverside Police Officers and Detectives are investigating threats by a former student to harm people at a Riverside charter school. A 17-year-old male suspect is in protective placement, pending further investigation and charges.

A student reported Tuesday, May 13, that she received a note about explosives from the young man. A School Resource Officer learned that the suspect intended to harm people at the River Springs Charter School, 8775 Magnolia Ave. The suspect is a former student. Investigators located the suspect at the River Springs-affiliated Walthen Aviation Academy, a specialty charter school, at Flabob Airport in Rubidoux, on Tuesday.

Investigators searched the suspect’s residence in Home Gardens, unincorporated Riverside County, where they found additional bomb-making notes, cryptic messages, a trench coat, knives and a “to do” list to prepare for “Emergence Day,” the date the suspect wrote he would strike, on May 29.

Bomb technicians from the Riverside Police Technical Services Unit (TSU) reviewed the incomplete notes and found the suspect had done early research into bomb components. There were no chemicals or explosive materials found at the residence, where the suspect lived with his parents.

The suspect will be booked into Juvenile Hall for making criminal threats.

Anyone with information helpful to this investigation is asked to contact Central Neighborhood Policing Center (NPC) Sergeant Brian Kittinger at (951) 353-7968.