BERKELEY — A 16-year-old boy was arrested Memorial Day on suspicion of charges connected to an alleged attempt to recruit students into a mass shooting at Berkeley High School, authorities said.
In a statement Wednesday, police said officers received a tip May 21 about the boy’s effort to recruit other teens in a shooting that would include explosives. Officers then got a warrant to search his home, where they found knives, parts for explosives and assault rifles and electronic items police said could be used to make weapons, and reached out to the city’s mobile crisis team to evaluate him.
Police said investigators with the department’s youth services unit interviewed witnesses and reviewed evidence before getting a warrant for the boy’s arrest, while others at the department worked with school district staff to share necessary information.
On Monday afternoon, the boy surrendered to police, who arrested him on suspicion of possession of destructive device materials and threatening to commit a crime resulting in death or great bodily injury.
“Throughout the investigation period, we were assured that this individual did not pose an immediate threat to the Berkeley High School community,” Berkeley schools Superintendent Brent Stephens said in part Wednesday evening in a statement to parents and community members that thanked all who spoke up and made police and staff aware.
“We are committed to conducting our own separate investigation, within the parameters of our authority as a school district, and as the evidence warrants, pursuing all possible steps, including discipline, that will support student and community safety,” Stephens added, before noting that officials will make counseling available at Berkeley High and at all school sites Thursday.
An investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information may call Berkeley police’s youth services unit at 510-981-5715.
Check back for updates.
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
Source: www.mercurynews.com