Millikan Student Arrested For Allegedly Making School Threat

LONG BEACH, CA — A Long Beach high school student who was allegedly overheard making a threat was arrested Wednesday.

Staff advised the school resource officer at Millikan High School, 2800 Snowden Ave., about 11:15 a.m. of the boy's threat, according to Long Beach police Sgt. Brad Johnson.

"Students remained safe the entire time, but the threat was overheard by classmates, who informed staff," Johnson said, adding that the threat was investigated and the student arrested.

Security had already been beefed up at various high school campuses in Long Beach Wednesday in the wake of social media rumors of a possible shooting at "Poly High School," that may or may not reference the South Bay school, authorities said.

Johnson said the Millikan High School threat "was independent of the unsubstantiated Poly threat."

"There is no information that the two were are related at this time," he said.

It was unclear if the Millikan student remained in custody or was released to his parents.

Social media posts on Tuesday night led to the increased police presence, according to the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Unified School District.

The LBPD issued a statement late Wednesday morning saying the department "was made aware of an unsubstantiated threat of a shooting at a `Poly High School."'

"Detectives started investigating the matter right away and worked through the night. The preliminary investigation found no credible threat to Long Beach Poly High School," according to the LBPD. "The police department is working closely with LBUSD, and there will be increased police presence on Long Beach high school campuses, to ensure that students feel safe in their educational environment."

Early Wednesday morning, LBUSD Superintendent Chris Steinhauser send a message to the school community.

"We have been alerted to unsubstantiated social media rumors that a possible shooting was planned to occur at Poly High School. While these rumors are unsubstantiated, we take them seriously and are working with law enforcement to actively investigate," Steinhauser wrote. "You will see additional law enforcement presence at the school today. We appreciate those who alerted us. Your students will be safe and protected at school."

It was unclear if the social media posts were actually referring to the Poly High School that is in Long Beach.

According to the Long Beach Press-Telegram, one post on Instagram shared a photo of a headline reporting a school shooting threat against "Long Beach High." However, the article attached to the headline refers to a school in Florida and was posted on Feb. 16, the newspaper reported.

Anyone with information regarding a threat to a school is urged to call police immediately by dialing 911. Anyone who has information regarding the recent social media threat is urged to call Violent Crimes detectives at (562) 570-7250. Anonymous tips may be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-TIPS.

City News Service; Photo: Shutterstock