Threat Investigation Ongoing At Petaluma High School

PETALUMA, CA — Though the Petaluma Police Department has yet to identify the student or students responsible for threats made Tuesday at Petaluma High School, the investigation was ongoing and the perpetrators will be held responsible, police said Thursday in an update.

The threats were made during a third-period class Tuesday on a software platform that provided a digital link to students in three separate classes with more than 80 students, police said.

Investigators learned that during the class, students were using a shared document that was being viewed both on a monitor in the classroom and on student laptops at each desk, creating a scenario similar to a live stream. The document could be accessed by anyone with the link and there was an incognito function that allowed users to change their login information to an anonymous username.

When multiple anonymous user profiles were created, they began to edit the document using racial slurs and posted pornographic images, threats of sexual violence, and a statement about a “hit list” that mentioned an “AR15” and “223 casings,” police said.

The “hit list” included a screenshot of all the people currently looking at the document, including what appeared to be three students logged in anonymously.

Several students were interviewed but no one claimed to know who made the edits and all of them denied involvement in the incident, police said.

School administrators and the Petaluma Police Department were continuing to follow any viable leads and potential evidence to identify the student or students involved in the incident, police said.

Students interviewed who had access to the document continued to deny any involvement and they believe the threats to be a “joke” and not credible, police said.

"As of Thursday afternoon, investigators have not found any evidence that leads us to believe this is or was a credible threat," police said. "Regardless, the Petaluma Police Department and Petaluma City Schools take all threats seriously. We recognize the fear this has created, and we condemn this type of behavior and the perpetrator(s) for making anybody feel unsafe in what is meant to be a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students. This investigation is ongoing and once the perpetrator(s) are identified, they will be held accountable."

According to police, investigators were seeking the help of anyone with information, especially students, and encouraged them to come forward to the Petaluma Police Department or a member of the Petaluma High School faculty.

Police said anyone with information can make an anonymous tip to the STOPIt application or to the Petaluma Police Department at ppdtips@cityofpetaluma.org or by calling 707-778-4373.